Di Matteo's Effect on Obasi

Chinedu Obasi was not considered for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil by Nigeria's coach  Stephen Keshi, meaning the 28 year old had the summer as holiday and would have to follow the games on television. 

But on the contrary, the Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medalist shunned the break and started early pre-season with his club,
 Schalke 04 in preparation for the new season. 

Before the commencement of the new season, the club made some attacking re-enforcements with Kelvin Prince Boateng joining from Milan and Cameroun star Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting making the switch from German side Mainz05 on a free transfer. The 25 year old former German U-21 star had an impressive 20 goals in 74 games for his former employers. 

Obasi began the season with high hopes and expectations after an impressive preseason showing. He was however not considered for Schalke04 first three games of the season, in which they managed only a point from a possible nine. 

The former Hoffeinham star finally got the nod against chelsea in the champions league at the bridge. 

After poor string of results, Jens Keller was shown the exit door with former Chelsea boss, Roberto Di Mateo taking over. Schalke 04 lost 2-1 to Obasi's former club, Hoffeinham and the board had to let their man go. At this time, the Nigerian had only made four appearances in all competitions for the club. 

With the coming of Di Mateo, Obasi had a new aplomb and was determined to make a better impact under the Italian.  Di Mateo's first game in charge was a 2-0 victory over Hertha Berlin, Obasi showed glimpses of good things to come in the game.

The next tie was a 3-2 win over Sporting club in the uefa champions League. It was the Nigerian best showing this season in a Schalke 04 shirt, as he bagged his first goal of the season and an assist.  

He featured in his clubs next five consecutive games but the results were beginning to turn against them.
Schalke O4 lost 2 nil against Freiburg on November 8 and ever since, Ogbuke has not featured for the club. 

The Nigerian has been ignored by the Italian for most of the games which leaves one to wonder where did things go wrong? 

Roberto Di Matteo has now found a superb partnership in Jan Klaas Huntelar and Eric Maxim. They both have 23 goals between them against Obasi's single goal. 

Secondly, poor results lead to the manager rotating his team finding the best possible combination and balance to handle games, Obasi incidently was a victim of this experiment.  

Further more, the coach tactics has really not helped Ogbuke, he prefers to play with two out and out strikers with only two positions on the wings up for grabs. Max Meyer, Sydney Sam, Kelvin Prince Boateng, Jeferson Farfan and Julian draxler have been considered ahead of the Nigerian in the pecking order.  

Finally, his goal return hasn't helped his course also, Obasi has only scored once in 10 games this season. But how do you score when you don't play games?

Roberto Di Mateo coming was like Moses in the bible, believed to be the one to take Obasi and Schalke 04 to the promise land, but this is not the case today. The 28 year old has not featured for the first team in almost 2 months now casting doubts about his future with the club. 

Whatever the case is, we hope for a better 2015 for this eagle.