Edin Džeko: That’s part of the reason I came here

In front of 61,378 spectators at the VELTINS-Arena, Saturday evening’s floodlit clash turned into an enthralling showcase of attacking might. Eight goals were scored in total, five of them for the Knappen. The Royal Blues even managed to create several chances to up their already impressive tally on the night. In the end, it was a fully deserved 5-3 triumph against 1. FC Magdeburg, with the team enjoying jubilant scenes with the fans in front of the Nordkurve after the game was over.

“This is part of the reason I came here, I know what Schalke means and how passionate the fans are,” said Džeko, who made his fifth appearance for S04 against FCM, his third in the starting XI. “It’s a lot of fun celebrating together, not least because it means you’ve won. And winning is always important.”

Heading in his fourth of the season

The Bosnia and Herzegovina captain was directly involved in several attacking moves – including after a quarter of an hour, when he slipped a pass to Adil Aouchiche, whose effort was deflected in by Jean Hugonet to give the Royal Blues a 1-0 lead. In the 39th minute, Džeko got on the scoresheet himself: meeting Aouchiche’s cross, he rose higher than Alexander Nollenberger and powered a header home to make it 2-1. Then, in the 65th minute, he showcased his vision once more, drifting in from the right side of the box after a slick passing move and picking out the perfectly positioned Dejan Ljubičić, who finished to extend the lead to 4-2.

After five appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, Džeko now has four goals and three assists to his name. Still, he remains grounded: “I’m one of eleven on the pitch. Everyone has to give everything – and I do that as well,” he said in his typically understated manner. “I don’t see myself as a star. I just get on with my job, that’s all.”

Goals conceded somewhat dampen the mood

Despite the delight at securing all three points, there was also a degree of self-criticism on the Schalke side regarding the three goals conceded. That simply cannot happen, especially at home, Džeko stressed. “Today we take the three points, but it has to improve,” he said, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.

The next fixture sees S04 once again put to task in a prime-time fixture: at 20:30 CET on Saturday (28/2), the Royal Blues travel to Sportpark Ronhof to face SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Both Džeko and head coach Miron Muslic described the encounter immediately after the final whistle as “the most important game”. Schalke will be aiming to impress going forward once more, regain their defensive solidity – and celebrate another three-point haul together with their supporters.