Win in Stuttgart gives Royal Blues their best start in 38 years
20.10.2009
With 19 points from nine games the Royal Blues have made their best start to a Bundesliga season for almost four decades. The last time Schalke made a better start was in the 1971/72 season, when a side featuring Norbert Nigbur, Klaus Fischer and the Kremers twins picked up 24 points (converted from the two-points system in force at the time). At the end of that campaign the Royal Blues finished runners-up in the league and lifted the DFB Cup. 
Felix Magath's side have their good away record to thank for their current success. Saturday's 2-1 victory was Schalke's first win in Stuttgart for ten years and they have now won four out of five on the road. Another away win in the DFB Cup at VfL Bochum underscores their good away form, with a 0-0 draw in Hoffenheim the only time they were held.
The only blemish on Schalke's record so far is their home form, which has resulted in two wins and two defeats at the VELTINS Arena. The Royal Blues will have a chance to improve on this on Sunday, but face tough opposition in Hamburg SV. The north German outfit are second in the table, two points ahead of Schalke, and still undefeated. Last season's fixture ended in a 2-1 defeat. In fact, the Royal Blues have not beaten Hamburg at home since the 2003/04 season, when they won 4-1 thanks to goals from Tomasz Waldoch, Ebbe Sand, Fabian Lamotte and Michael Delura.
