The growing criticism against Fred Rutten was silenced as die Königsblauen defeated Hertha BSC 1-0 is a perfectly crafted manner. Schalke was resolute in their control of Lucien Favre’s attack with complete command of play at the midfield. Prior to the match, Fred Rutten said that his side must “keep their shape for ninety minutes” and they followed that simple plan with perfection, dominating possession and gave Manuel Neuer the afternoon off as he faced only a single shot. This was championship Football from a side we haven’t seen anything close to it in quite a some time. A packed Veltins-Arena was ready to rise to their feet four minutes in but Kevin Kurányi, after receiving a gift from close range, couldn’t close out. The Berliners only noteworthy effort came nearly twenty minutes-in as Gojko Kacar scored from inside the penalty area after fouling Mladen Krstajić but the obvious infringement resulted in the goal being waived off. After the break Turkish international Halil Altıntop was called upon for Kevin Kurányi and he responded with aggressive, creative play. After a close miss ten minutes after the restart, Jefferson Farfán’s cross five minutes past the hour was re-directed into the Berliner net from a few meters out by Germany international Gerald Asamoah. Die Königsblauen came close to doubling the lead only a few minutes later but the story of the match was the complete control of the midfield as Hertha BSC was unable to threaten the goal again. With the 1-0 victory, Schalke now finds itself in six place with twenty-six points, eight points behind the Bavarians and 1899 Hoffenheim, who they face next Saturday before the winter break.
