Opposition Check: Schalke 04

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.

„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.