Key Takeaways
- FC Schalke 04 need just one victory to secure promotion back to the Bundesliga
- Fortuna Düsseldorf sit only one point above the relegation zone and face a fight for survival
- The two sides meet on Saturday in a match with huge consequences at both ends of the table
This weekend brings an important match in Germany’s second division. FC Schalke 04 will play Fortuna Düsseldorf at home on Saturday. Both teams need the points for different reasons. Schalke want to go up to the Bundesliga. Düsseldorf want to stay in the second tier.
The Royal Blues are close to achieving their goal. Manager Miron Muslic has led the team to the top of the table this season. Now they need three more points to confirm their return to the top flight. Winning in front of their own fans on Saturday is the perfect scenario.
The team showed great spirit last weekend. They played away at second-placed Paderborn and fell behind by two goals early in the match. However, they fought back before half-time. Dejan Ljubicic and Adil Aouchiche scored to make it 2-2. The Austrian midfielder then got the winner in the 83rd minute. This victory gave Schalke a six-point lead at the summit.
Muslic says his players will not change their approach. He explained that they have kept the same training routine that has worked well in recent months. The coach added that the squad have prepared with focus and hard work. He believes they will only succeed if they play at their recent high level.
Fortuna Düsseldorf face a very different situation. They are in 15th place. Only one point keeps them above the relegation playoff spot. The club has changed managers twice this season. Current boss Alexander Ende must save them from dropping down.
Recent results give the visitors some hope. They beat Dynamo Dresden 3-1 at home in their last match. Cedric Itten, Emmanuel Iyoha and Luca Raimund all scored. This win ended a run of poor form and lifted confidence.
Ende refuses to accept defeat before the match. He knows few people expect his side to get a result. The manager stated that every game now is like a final. He stressed that every point and every goal matters in their current position.
When the teams met in December, Schalke won 2-0 away from home. Kenan Karaman and Vitalie Becker scored that day. That result ended a long wait for victory against Düsseldorf. However, Fortuna have a decent record at this ground. They have only lost once in their last five visits there. Their last win in Gelsenkirchen came in 2019, when both clubs were in the top division.
Schalke have several injury problems. Emil Højlund, Tomáš Kalas, Nikola Katić, Bryan Lasme, Finn Porath and Henning Matriciani are all out. Edin Džeko should come back into the squad.
Düsseldorf have some better news. Valgeir Lunddal and Christian Rasmussen have returned to training. Hamza Anhari and Tim Rossmann are also getting fitter. Anouar El Azzouzi might miss out due to a shoulder injury.
Schalke will likely use a 4-2-3-1 system. Karius should start in goal. The defence may include Becker, Kuruçay, Ayhan and N’Diaye. El-Faouzi and Schallenberg could play in midfield. Ljubicic, Karaman and Aouchiche offer support behind striker Sylla.
Düsseldorf are expected to line up in a 4-3-2-1 formation. Kastenmeier will keep goal. Zimmermann, Oberdorf, Egouli and Lenz should form the back four. Alexandropolous, El Azzouzi and Appelkamp may play in the centre. Iyoha and M. Ljubičić can support front man Itten.