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Improved Run of Form for Schalke

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Following a poor start to friendly season, it seems as though Cole Reinhart and FC Schalke have sorted everything out and have won two straight games on the strength of transfer signing Ron-Robert Zieler and the Schalke offense.

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While their opponents may not have been of top quality, any success will be welcomed at Veltins-Arena right about now, and the 5-0 rout of Westerlo was no exception. Julian Draxler and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar contributed with goals, but were overshadowed by the performance of Schalke captain CB Benedikt Höwedes, who scored a hat trick on the day.

Following that performance, Zieler and Schalke would complete another clean sheet, this time in German Cup action as the Royal Blues moved on with a win over Pfeddersheim that came down to the wire, a 0-0 draw until defensive midfielder Roman Neustädter scored in the 88th minute.

Next up for FC Schalke is the opening of the 2013-14 Bundesliga campaign. They'll face Wolfsburg and Freiburg to kick off the season.