Schalke 04
On May 2, 2026, Schalke 04 celebrated their return to the Bundesliga with a decisive home victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf, marking a significant turnaround after years of struggle. The match took place at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, where an attendance of 61,587 witnessed the thrilling encounter.
Schalke secured automatic promotion back to the Bundesliga after defeating Fortuna Düsseldorf 1-0. Kenan Karaman scored the decisive goal in the 15th minute, showcasing his importance to the team throughout the season.
This victory marks Schalke’s return to the Bundesliga after a three-year absence, during which they played in the 2. Bundesliga. The club has undergone significant changes during this period, including hiring Frank Baumann as their new administrative top boss last spring.
Under head coach Miron Muslic, Schalke transformed from a struggling team into a promotion candidate. This match extended their unbeaten league run to 12 games, reinforcing their dominance in the second division.
The win over Düsseldorf was also Schalke’s fifth consecutive victory, demonstrating their strong home form with only one defeat at home this season. They are now well-placed to clinch the second division title ahead of second-placed Paderborn.
Edin Džeko’s return to Schalke in January proved beneficial as he contributed six goals in nine league appearances, further solidifying the team’s attack alongside Karaman.
Kenan Karaman expressed his joy after the match: “We waited a long time for this moment, as a club, as a city, all the people around it. I’m just happy that we could take the final step at home because the fans deserve it.” His sentiments reflect the long-awaited return of Schalke to its rightful place among Germany’s elite football clubs.
Timo Becker added, “Nothing is more important than bringing this club back to where it belongs,” emphasizing the collective effort behind this successful campaign. Raúl echoed similar sentiments when he stated simply, “Back where you belong.” These quotes highlight the emotional significance of returning to top-flight football for both players and fans alike.
The journey back has not been easy; Schalke was relegated from the Bundesliga in the 2020/21 season after a disastrous campaign. However, they bounced back as second-division champions in just one year, underscoring their resilience.
The next challenge for Schalke will be maintaining their momentum as they prepare for life back in the Bundesliga. With key players like Karaman and Džeko leading the charge, expectations will be high as they aim to solidify their status among Germany’s top clubs once again.