Schalke ahead of FCB reunion: Great buzz despite slight dampener | OneFootball

Three long years of waiting finally came to an end in early May. After an at times turbulent period in the second division, FC Schalke 04 celebrated their return to the Bundesliga. The party around the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen following the 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf, which sealed promotion, knew no limits. In the heart of the Ruhr district, where football is so much more than the 90 minutes on the pitch, a flood of emotions poured out – Schalke were finally back where they belong in the eyes of many football fans in Germany!

Mastermind of success: Miron Muslić

The main man responsible for rejuvenating S04 is head coach Miron Muslić. Very few people in Germany would’ve heard of the 43-year-old before his appointment in summer 2025. Muslić spent most of his playing career in the Austrian leagues. As a coach, after stints at SV Ried and Cercle Brugge, he moved to English Championship side Plymouth Argyle, and from there he joined Schalke. In Gelsenkirchen, Muslić has managed to unite a fragile fabric in an ambitious environment after years of turmoil. Based on a very solid defence, the Royal Blues put together an impressive campaign with virtually no dips in form, which ended with promotion as champions by eight points. 

Core squad remains, targeted reinforcements

Schalke have kept hold of the core of the squad that won promotion, led by captain Kenan Karaman, who’s missed the start of the season through injury. Winter signing Edin Dzeko was also persuaded to extend his contract by a further year. The now 40-year-old striker, who won several trophies with Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany during their time together at Manchester City, sparked additional excitement in the Gelsenkirchen camp in January with his transfer to S04. In former Germany international Robin Gosens, Maximilian Wöber, Junior Adamu and Junior Dina Ebimbe, Schalke have brought added Bundesliga experience to the squad.

Muslić usually sets his team up in a 3-4-2-1 system. Goalkeeper Loris Karius is protected by a sturdy back three of Timo Becker, Nikola Katić and Hasan Kuruçay. The wide positions are occupied by the energetic Dejan Ljubicić on the right and either Gosens or Vitalie Becker on the left. In the centre of midfield, it looks like new signing Satoshi Tanaka will replace the suspended Ron Schallenberg and partner Soufiane El-Faouzi. Adil Aouchiche and Adamu or Dina Ebimbe are likely to play behind striker Moussa Sylla.

Cup win followed by disappointment in Bundesliga opener

After a pre-season featuring high-profile friendlies against Atalanta and Real Madrid (both 3-0 defeats), Schalke saw off Halleschen FC 5-2 in the first round of the DFB Cup. However, the momentum from promotion suffered its first slight hit with a 3-0 loss at FC Augsburg on the opening weekend of the Bundesliga. Now, a first blockbuster fixture since their return to the top flight already awaits in the first home game of the season. The atmosphere at the Veltins-Arena will certainly be electrifying, and the Schalke team will be suitably fired up too. The Munich men will have to stand up to that if they want to collect another three points after the emphatic opening victory against VfB Stuttgart.

Matchday Quiz: FC Schalke 04 vs. FC Bayern