It's widely known that Pep Guardiola introduced tiki-taka football to the Bundesliga during his time at Bayern Munich. Many top clubs adopted this captivating short-passing style of play, which had been developed over many years by numerous coaches in Barcelona. However, Guardiola wasn't quite the first in Germany to bring this style of play to the league. Over 90 years ago, it was the team from Gelsenkirchen that laid the foundations for tiki-taka in Germany – albeit under a different name.
Known as the „Schalke Carousel,“ they dazzled their opponents with a flurry of short passes. Varying their style with lateral and through balls, the Royal Blues won six German championships in the 1930s and 40s. It was the Ballmann brothers who brought this distinctive style of play from Great Britain to the Ruhr region.
Even though the football of the working-class club from Gelsenkirchen has changed over the years and decades, the „Schalke Carousel“ remains firmly rooted in the club’s tradition. For more than 50 years, the printed club newsletter of Schalke 04 bore this title. And even today, all members still receive a digital edition of the „Schalke Carousel.“
In our opponent analysis, we don’t just want to reminisce about past successes, but rather focus on the present. We’re taking a closer look at FC Schalke 04 ahead of their match on Saturday evening (March 21st, 8:30pm) against SV Darmstadt 98.
| Top Scorers | Top Assists |
| Kenan Karaman – 11 Goals | Soufian El-Faouzi – 5 Assists |
| Edin Dzeko – 6 Goals | Kenan Karaman – 4 Assists |
| Hasan Kurucay – 4 Goals | Edin Dzeko – 3 Assists |
| Moussa Sylla – 4 Goals | Adil Aouchiche – 3 Assists |
| Bryan Lasme – 2 Goals | Nikola Katic – 3 Assists |
Miron Muslic
Head coach of FC Schalke 04„Offence wins games, defence wins titles.“ So goes an old football adage. But how much truth is there to it? FC Schalke is well on its way to proving this old cliché true this season. With 37 goals, the Ruhr club boasts a rather average attack for the league; similar goal tally figures can be found even among teams at the bottom of the table. However, Schalke’s crown jewel this entire season is their defence. Not only are they top of the 2. Bundesliga standings, but they also have the fewest goals conceded. Opponents have only managed to put the ball in the Schalke net 23 times. Furthermore, S04 has kept a remarkable 11 clean sheets. Their defensive record in the first half of the season is particularly impressive – just 10 goals conceded in 17 games. The fact that they have conceded a few more goals since then is perhaps due to the Royal Blues‘ more adventurous attacking play in the second half of the season. And yet the statistics speak a clear language: On average, Miron Muslic’s team only concedes 0.88 goals per game.
Schalke made headlines during the winter transfer window. Edin Dzeko, in particular, garnered significant media attention. However, the now 40-year-old striker is suspended for the match against Darmstadt. Another winter signing, however, is equally promising and boasts an interesting resume: Adil Aouchiche. No player has ever scored more goals at a European Championship (from youth to professional level), he was a former captain of several French youth national teams, and a former teammate of Kylian Mbappé, Edinson Cavani, Thiago Silva, and Neymar. He only arrived at Schalke at the beginning of February and has featured in every match so far. Aouchiche has made an immediate impact in Gelsenkirchen. Schalke’s attacking play is directly benefiting from his creativity, which he has already demonstrated with three assists.
The French press once tried to predict his future: he could become the future captain of the national team, while others dubbed him the next Zidane. But the former prodigy went his own way – albeit not always in a straightforward manner. The now 23-year-old has worn the jerseys of seven different clubs in the past six years. But this turbulent period is part of who he is. „What’s most important to me is that I continue to develop as a footballer and as a person. If I need new challenges for that, then so be it,“ the Algerian-born Frenchman explained in an interview with the WAZ newspaper.
He spent his youth at reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. The new Schalke player worked his way up to the professional ranks, where he also met Kylian Mbappé. The world-class star even gave Aouchiche some advice, as the winger once revealed: „He always told me to believe in myself, trust my abilities, and remain humble – but not hide.“
The still-young Algerian has already demonstrated his qualities in France, England, and Scotland. Since winter, he has been playing for Schalke in Germany and is clearly thriving. His performances are a significant contribution to Schalke’s current success – performances that haven’t gone unnoticed by the Algerian national team. Algeria has called up the 23-year-old for the upcoming international matches. Finally, Aouchiche has not lost a single match in his six previous games with S04 while wearing the blue and white jersey – three wins, three draws, that is his record.
A thrilling match on Saturday evening ended in a draw: FC Schalke 04 and Darmstadt 98 played to a stalemate, each securing a point on matchday 27. The game was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to Luca Marseiler. Following the match, both sides expressed their best wishes for the winger's recovery. The coaches' analysis of the game was similar: a fair draw. Here are the post-match reactions.
No winner on Saturday evening: The top match between Darmstadt and league leaders Schalke 04 ended 1-1 (1-1). Lidberg scored for the home side in first-half stoppage time. In a thrilling match, Darmstadt secured their 50th point of the season and remain firmly in contention at the top end of the table.
A top match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! On matchday 27, Darmstadt 98 host FC Schalke 04. Just in time for this clash, Fraser Hornby returns to the SV 98 starting lineup, replacing Niklas Schmidt. Fabian Nürnberger also starts in place of Fabian Holland. Killian Corredor is also available for SV 98 again, but the Frenchman will initially be on the bench.
Saturday evening. Floodlights. Top match. Darmstadt 98 hosts FC Schalke 04 for the 27th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. Kick-off is at 8:30pm on Saturday (March 21st). What do both head coaches have to say before the game? Who will referee the match? And who will be the commentator? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the game against the Royal Blues for you in our "Matchday Guide".
A floodlit match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. How excited are the players for Saturday evening's clash? What strengths of the opponent should Darmstadt be particularly wary of? And what is their own game plan? Ahead of SV Darmstadt 98's home game against FC Schalke 04 (March 21st/8:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered these and other questions at the press conference on Friday (March 20th). We've summarised the most important statements from the Darmstadt coach for you.
On Saturday evening (21.03/20.30), SV Darmstadt 98 will host FC Schalke 04 and asks you to take note of the following information.
The top match of the 2nd Bundesliga is something special. When FC Schalke 04 travels to southern Hesse to face SV Darmstadt 98, the league leaders and second-placed team will clash on Saturday evening (March 21st/8:30pm). Offensively strong Darmstadt against defensively solid Schalke. All the important facts and figures about Saturday evening's duel are compiled for you here in the Top Facts.
The journalists asked the questions, Florian Kohfeldt provided the answers: The head coach of SV 98 was the protagonist of a media session on Tuesday (March 17). We'll report on it. Also, the most unique jersey in the club's history is now available exclusively for members in the online fan shop. In our weekly column "Lilies Across the Board," we'll bring you all the information on these and other topics.
Probably the most personalised Darmstadt 98 jersey in the club's history! SV Darmstadt 98 will wear an exclusive members' jersey against SV Elversberg on matchday 31. The special feature: Every member who purchases the jersey has their personal membership number printed on it.
More than 8,600 kilometres as the crow flies separate San Antonio and Darmstadt. Landry Walker embarked on the long journey from Texas to southern Hesse on March 8th. The 16-year-old midfielder was trained at San Antonio FC, the partner club of SV Darmstadt 98, and has been immersed in the world of the Lilies (Darmstadt's nickname) over the past few days. We look back at the visit of the American U17 international.
Our premium partner ENTEGA is once again providing unique stadium experiences this season. For every home game, you can win two VIP fan seats in the main stand and also gain access to the ENTEGA VIP lounge. The application deadline for the match against Schalke 04 is Thursday (March 19th) at 12 noon.
