Schalke Celebrates Bundesliga Return Following Victory Over Fortuna Düsseldorf
GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Edin Dzeko made a timely return as Schalke secured their promotion back to the Bundesliga with a narrow 1-0 defeat of Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the club.
Former Schalke star Raul expressed his excitement on Instagram, emphasizing a collective yearning for the club’s return to its rightful place in top-tier football.
Kenan Karaman’s goal in the 15th minute solidified Schalke’s position, establishing a 10-point lead over third-placed Hannover in Germany’s second division. Hannover has three matches left to play, while Schalke has two. The top two teams will earn automatic promotion to the Bundesliga.
“Words can’t describe it,” said team captain Karaman, who netted his 14th goal of the season by finding the net inside the far post. “As a club, as a city, and for everyone around us, this moment has been a long time coming. I’m overjoyed to achieve this final step at home; our fans truly deserve it.”
While officials advised fans against storming the field, hundreds of stewards were positioned to ensure safety, allowing supporters to celebrate with smoke bombs, beers, and songs from the stands.
“The pressure has been immense—really immense. The past few years haven’t been easy,” Karaman reflected on the team’s challenges, which included three consecutive seasons in the second division, with two nearly resulting in relegation to the third division.
The transformation began last summer when athletic director Frank Bauman appointed Miron Muric as head coach. At just 43, Muric has taken a team on the brink of crisis and turned them into serious promotion contenders. Schalke is well-positioned to clinch the second division title, currently ahead of second-placed Paderborn.
This season’s promotion campaign was significantly bolstered by the surprising signing of Dzeko in January. The seasoned 40-year-old Bosnian international forward made a notable impact, scoring six goals in nine league appearances before suffering a shoulder injury during Bosnia’s World Cup playoff win over Italy on March 31.
In Dzeko’s absence, other players have stepped up, notably Mali forward Moussa Sila, who has contributed three of Schalke’s seven goals over the last six matches.
Dzeko returned to the pitch on Saturday, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute. While he did not score during the match, the cheers from the packed stadium of 61,587 fans reflected their appreciation.
“We sought this win and wanted to celebrate with our fans today,” Dzeko stated, but he remained focused on the present, adding, “For now, let’s enjoy this victory. We’re incredibly happy with my decision to come here in January.”
This promotion marks Schalke’s second ascent from the second division in just five years. After initially relegating from the Bundesliga in 2021, the club returned as Second Division champions only to face another relegation in 2023.
“There is nothing more important than restoring this club to where it rightfully belongs,” asserted Schalke defender Timo Becker.
