“Will certainly be a highlight”: BVB relishing Schalke derby | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is reacting calmly yet with great anticipation to FC Schalke 04’s promotion to the Bundesliga. BVB coach Niko Kovac and defender Waldemar Anton are already looking forward to the upcoming Revierderby.

FC Schalke 04 is returning to the Bundesliga after a three-year absence – and with the traditional club comes the Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund. Schalke’s return is already causing excitement at BVB, even though Dortmund first had to accept a 1–0 defeat away to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky after the match, Kovac still had clear words about the Royal Blues’ promotion and looked ahead: “because I was never able to experience it as a player, since I never played here.” At the same time, the 54-year-old showed good sportsmanship and sent his congratulations to Gelsenkirchen: “I congratulate them from the bottom of my heart, and of course my colleague [Miron Muslic] as well – a great guy. Next season it’s the Revierderby, but before then we still have two Bundesliga matches to play to finish this season.”

100 derby clashes in the Ruhr: BVB with a positive record against Schalke

There is also great anticipation within the squad. Center-back Waldemar Anton is eagerly looking ahead to the traditional clash: “Anyone who has seen the matches in the past knows they were huge. I’m looking forward to it. I think everyone is looking forward to it. It will definitely be a highlight.”

Photo: IMAGO

Historically, the Revierderby is one of the most evenly balanced fixtures in the Bundesliga. In 100 meetings so far, Borussia Dortmund have won 37 times, while Schalke have recorded 31 victories. 32 matches ended without a winner.

Schalke sealed promotion on Saturday evening when a 1–0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf secured their return to the top flight. That means one of the most emotional matches in German football will return next season. Until then, however, both teams remain focused on the run-in: while Dortmund are on the verge of finishing as runners-up, Schalke have already wrapped up the 2. Bundesliga title.

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