Soufiane El-Faouzi: We can’t afford to let a single yard go

With an acrobatic overhead kick into the top corner, El-Faouzi brought the Knappen level in the high-stakes clash away at SV Elversberg – a game Schalke would go on to win 2-1. “In an interview before the match, I said that I sometimes overthink things – in that moment, I wasn’t thinking at all,” he reveals with a smile. “I just went for it, with total conviction and a good feeling – and when the ball went in, I could hardly believe it.”

That feeling isn’t limited to moments on the pitch. Since joining S04 last summer, the midfielder has made quite the positive impact in Gelsenkirchen. “Last season’s struggles didn’t really play on our minds. We were made to feel so welcome and quickly built a great atmosphere in the dressing room.” He also credits the coaching staff around head coach Miron Muslic: “The togetherness is outstanding – that’s the key to success.”

For El-Faouzi, that unity is the foundation for both the team’s impressive campaign so far and their recent victory. “We knew Elversberg would be a big game, but you could see that we’re a real unit. No matter who’s on the pitch, everyone runs and fights for each other.” That’s a principle Schalke need to carry into Sunday’s home game against Preußen Münster (19/4). “We have to set the bar high for ourselves. We can’t afford to let a single yard go.” That mantra certainly applies to El-Faouzi himself. As it stands after matchday 29, he tops the DFL’s league ranking for total distance covered (367.9 km). He also ranks among the leaders for high-intensity runs (2,530), with only Arminia Bielefeld captain Mael Corboz (2,564) recording more.

Despite Münster currently sitting bottom of the 2. Bundesliga and facing the threat of relegation, the 23-year-old is taking nothing for granted: “Münster are not a poor side, they’ve got plenty of quality.” The squad and staff remain committed to the same guiding line that has rung true for them this season: “We’re taking it one game at a time and always giving everything – that’s what’s made us strong this campaign.”

Engine room at risk of yellow-card suspension

El-Faouzi has started all 29 league matches so far this season and, aside from being substituted after 70 minutes away at Dynamo Dresden in August 2025, has not missed a single minute. If it were up to Schalke’s number 23, that run would continue until the end of the campaign. However, there is one potential obstacle: his next yellow card would be his fifth. “It’s something that sits in the back of your mind,” the midfielder admits. “But if it happens, it happens. At the end of the day, the team winning is what matters most.”