FC Schalke 04 had already been among the Bundesliga's best set-piece takers in 2006/07, scoring 18 goals. Only Eintracht Frankfurt had been better.
Last season the “Royal Blues” even went one better: 23 goals scored from set-pieces was the best record of the Bundesliga. 42% of Schalke's goals came from free-kicks or corners.
Already three goals from set-pieces
Schalke have scored five Bundesliga goals this season, and already three of those have come from dead-ball situations.
Additionally Christian Pander curled home a free-kick against Atletico Madrid in Europe.
bundesliga.de takes a close look at Schalke's major strength, with the eagerly awaited Ruhr derby at Borussia Dortmund just around the corner.
Schalke again are among the Bundesliga's best teams from set-pieces this season. Three goals and 60% of all goals from set-pieces are unsurpassed in the Bundesliga so far.
In Kevin Kuranyi Schalke have the most profilic aerial powerhouse of the Bundesliga in their team. Kuranyi's eight goals from headers last season were unrivalled, as were his ten goals in 2006/07. The striker already has scored with a header this season, and both of his goals came from set-pieces.
Defenders Heiko Westermann and Marcelo Bordon are good in the air, too. Bordon has scored his last eight Bundesliga goals from set-pieces!
A lot of Schalke's strength is down to good crossers of the ball: Christian Pander and Ivan Rakitic. The Croatian has set up eight of Schalke's last 26 goals from set-pieces, Pander four of those.
Pander has already set up seven attempts at goal from free-kicks or corners this season, more than any other Bundesliga player!
Last season Rakitic created 32 attempts from set-pieces, only five Bundesliga players were better in that respect.
44% of Pander's crosses (including corners) find a team-mate this season. Only two Bundesliga players are more accurate.
Seven out of Schalke's last nine goals came from set-pieces!
Borussia Dortmund would be well advised to have an eye on defending set-pieces this week.
Last season — when Schalke did the double over BVB (4-1, 3-2) — three of the seven Schalke goals came from dead-ball situations…
Christof Greiner
More about FC Schalke 04 in this week's edition of “GOAL! The Bundesliga magazine”
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Hoffenheim held by nine-man Schalke
Progress in the balance for Schalke