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.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: