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.
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.