Schalke 2 : 0 Hertha Berlin - Winning start for Di Matteo

Posted Sunday, October 19, 2014 by PA

Roberto Di Matteo celebrated a winning start to life as Schalke coach with his side beating Hertha Berlin 2-0 to move into the top half of the Bundesliga.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Julian Draxler scored the goals for the Royal Blues as they responded to a defeat to Hoffenheim - which cost Jens Keller his job a fortnight ago - by picking up all three points at the Arena AufSchalke.

It was a successful start for the Italian coach, who now prepares for his return to the Champions League against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.

Di Matteo, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, presided over the English club's elimination in the group stage the following season, losing his job with the Blues immediately after a defeat to Juventus which ensured they were the first holders to succumb in the subsequent group stage.

The Italian had stressed how important a strong defence was going to be if Schalke were to turn their domestic season around and it certainly looked like his team were abiding by those words early on.

It took them nearly 10 minutes before launching their first attack, which culminated in Huntelaar missing the target from a promising position.

Hertha's answer was a Per Skjelbred effort which Ralf Fahrmann parried to Peter Pekarik, and his shot was blocked by Christian Fuchs.

Huntelaar missed the target with his second chance of the night before scoring with his third, heading in Draxler's perfect cross.

The goal was more of a relief for Schalke than anything since Hertha were beginning to pose a greater threat with Fahrmann increasingly called upon to keep his team in front.

Salomon Kalou, who won the Champions League under Matteo with Chelsea, was the visitors' biggest threat and a goal appeared to be in the air.

It came in the 65th minute, albeit at the other end with Draxler getting a lucky break with his shot deflecting off Fabian Lustenberger on its way past Thomas Kraft.

With the minimum of effort, Schalke had opened up a two-goal lead and seen off a strong challenge of Hertha, who despite having more of the possession and more shots, lacked the clinical edge of the home team, who picked up a timely boost ahead of a key Champions League game.