Rivalry over? Schalke legend congratulates BVB 👏 | OneFootball

After strong performances under coach Niko Kovac, even Schalke icon Gerald Asamoah is impressed by BVB. The former striker praises the discipline and hard work of the Black and Yellows – and gives them a chance in the fight against Bayern.

Borussia Dortmund has made an impressive start to the new season under coach Niko Kovac – earning recognition even from archrival Schalke 04. Club legend Gerald Asamoah explicitly praises the development of the Black and Yellows.

In his column for kicker, the former striker explained: “From the day he was appointed, I said that I fully trust him to take on the BVB challenge, so I’m not surprised by these developments.” For Asamoah, the recent contract extension with Kovac until 2027 is “a good signal to the team.” Most importantly, the coach has “brought back discipline.”

Since Kovac took over at the beginning of 2025, BVB has shown a series of strong performances: with four wins and one draw, the Black and Yellows are currently right behind Bayern Munich. Even the second half of last season saw Dortmund finish in second place.

Schalke Icon Asamoah Enthusiastic About BVB’s Rise

The fact that it’s the archrival shining right now doesn’t bother the 46-year-old. On the contrary: “Even as a Schalke fan at heart, I can honestly say I’m happy that hard work is being rewarded in Dortmund.” For Asamoah, it’s only logical that BVB is “once again taking on the role of Bayern’s fiercest competitor.”

Recently, surprising words have also come from Dortmund towards Gelsenkirchen. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl said recently on Aktuelles Sportstudio: “The first word that came to mind was boring. I think Schalke belongs in the 1st league. I look forward to derbies. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Frank Baumann that they get promoted again.”

The rivalry between Dortmund and Schalke has changed in recent years. Since Schalke’s relegation in 2023 and the end of the regular Revierderbys, there has been a surprising harmony between the clubs. Both sides seem to be longing for the return of exciting derbies, as shown by the positive words from Asamoah and Kehl.

Whether these quiet tones of reconciliation in the Ruhr area will last in the long term remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: between Dortmund and Schalke, there’s currently more of a gentle breeze than a stormy derby wind.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.