2. Bundesliga Archive

Royal Blues seal survival in style

FC Schalke 04 defeated VfL Osnabrück 4-0 at the Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg on Tuesday evening (7/5). The win means that S04’s place in next season’s 2. Bundesliga is mathematically certain. Keke Topp netted a brace, with Assan Ouédraogo and Kenan Karaman also bagging goals for Karel Geraerts’ side.

2. Bundesliga

Karel Geraerts: We don’t need any more motivation

FC Schalke 04 will be looking to make a crucial step towards staying in the 2. Bundesliga on Tuesday evening (7/5, 18:30 CEST) when they take on VfL Osnabrück under unusual circumstances. A win against the Purple-Whites’ at the Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg would ensure that the Royal Blues remain in the division for another year.

2. Bundesliga

Statement from the board – S04 reject claims made by Osnabrück

On Friday (3/5), VfL Osnabrück’s club management released a statement claiming that the staging of the rearranged fixture in front of spectators has proved impossible due to the conduct of FC Schalke 04. The board emphatically rejects this accusation and stresses that the current situation both clubs find themselves in is a result of the actions of the game’s hosts, VfL Osnabrück.

2. Bundesliga

Schalke’s away game against Osnabrück to take place at St. Pauli on 7th May

The city of Osnabrück has ordered the Stadion an der Bremer Brücke to shut with immediate effect due to structural defects in the roof and it will not be possible to resolve the issue before the scheduled kick-off at 13:00 CEST on Saturday (4/5). Therefore, the German Football league (DFL) has decided to reschedule the game. The game will take place at 18:30 CEST on Tuesday (7/5) and it will be played at FC St. Pauli’s Millerntor-Stadion.

2. Bundesliga

Statement from the board – S04 reject the possibility of Osnabrück game being moved

VfL Osnabrück announced on Tuesday (30/4) that the city of Osnabrück had issued a temporary order barring the use of their stadium after structural defects in the roof were identified. This therefore put S04’s away game on matchday 32 (4/5) in doubt. The club’s board is now demanding the integrity of the competition is maintained by sticking to the original date of the game, and has offered several alternative suggestions to prevent the game from being postponed.

2. Bundesliga

Away game in Osnabrück in danger of being postponed due to stadium closure

VfL Osnabrück informed FC Schalke 04 on Tuesday evening (30/4) that the city of Osnabrück has ordered the Stadion an der Bremer Brücke to shut with immediate effect. The local authorities have issued a temporary order barring the use of the stadium after structural defects in the roof were identified during a regularly scheduled inspection.

2. Bundesliga

Ron Schallenberg: I think we’re well-prepared for the last three games

“It hurts a bit,” said Ron Schallenberg after the 1-1 draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf, particularly referring to the controversial non-penalty incident in injury time. The Schalke defender doesn’t want to dwell on that however. Schallenberg has analysed the whole picture – and concluded that it’s positive overall.

2. Bundesliga

Karel Geraerts: If we carry on like this, we’ll be tough to beat

Following a frantic final few minutes at the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday evening (27/4), the controversial call to overturn a penalty for FC Schalke 04 proved to be a hot topic after the final whistle. Everyone involved in the game came to the conclusion, however, that the 1-1 draw between the Royal Blues and Fortuna Düsseldorf was a fair result. Karel Geraerts, Fortuna head coach Daniel Thioune and Kenan Karaman all spoke to the media after the match.

2. Bundesliga

Tense clash ends 1-1 after penalty overturned in injury time

FC Schalke 04 extended their unbeaten run at home to seven games on Saturday evening, as they drew 1-1 with third-placed Fortuna Düsseldorf. Kenan Karaman fired the Royal Blues ahead in the 55th minute, but his strike was cancelled out by Ao Tanaka’s finish twelve minutes later.

2. Bundesliga

Kenan Karaman ahead of Düsseldorf clash: We’re in a much better place now

The Royal Blues have picked up 14 points from their last six games at the VELTINS-Arena, with Kenan Karaman playing a decisive role in five of those matches. Three more points against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday night (27/4, 20:30 CEST) would mark an important step towards staying up this season.

2. Bundesliga

Karel Geraerts: Playing every game to win

FC Schalke 04 will take on Fortuna Düsseldorf in front of a sold-out crowd at the VELTINS-Arena for a prime-time clash on Saturday (27/4, 20:30 CEST). The visitors currently sit third in the table and are on a fine run of form, having won their past six league games in a row with an overall scoreline of 16-1. “We’re coming up against a strong opponent,” acknowledged S04 head coach Karel Geraerts.

2. Bundesliga

Keke Topp: I had a feeling I’d score

The Royal Blues took a point home to Gelsenkirchen after the 1-1 draw at SV Elversberg on Friday (19th April). “It was a tough game. Elversberg played really well. We’ll take the point away from home,” said Keke Topp, who scored a 59th-minute equaliser for the Knappen.

2. Bundesliga