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S04 Schalke Schalke - F95 Düsseldorf Fortuna Düsseldorf

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F95
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VELTINS-Arena(Sold out)
whistlePatrick Ittrich
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SCHALKE ARE PROMOTED!

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Erwin right in the middle of it

Even Schalke's mascot gets to join in the celebrations, as today's promotion has got everyone in Gelsenkirchen caught up in the excitement.
0:20
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Džeko gets a shower

90'
+ 7

He's staying!

Can the celebrations at Schalke get any bigger? The answer is YES! Muslić announces in front of the Nordkurve with a microphone that his contract will be extended until 2028 upon promotion, accompanied by a corresponding graphic flashing across the big screen. This is of course met with great joy by the Schalke supporters.
0:36
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Watch: Schalke players celebrate at full-time

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"Attack" on the Nordkurve!

0:31
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Watch: Look out, the beer is coming!

90'
+ 7

Photo Time

A few commemorative photos are taken, with Schalke head coach Muslić at the centre of it all.
90'
+ 7

They know how to go up...

...but can they celebrate as well? Tonight will tell. At the moment things are looking promising.
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Party atmosphere

Some are dancing around – others, like Timo Becker (right), simply cannot believe it.
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A heart for the fans

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Pure joy

This is how the Schalke players celebrated after the final whistle!
90'
+ 7

"Never again, second division!"

The chant is loud and clear in the Nordkurve...
90'
+ 7

1-0 to the Royal Blues

For Schalke, it was their twelfth home win of the season, with the Ruhr side winning seven of those by the narrowest of margins. But they won't care one bit about that today!
90'
+ 7

Schalke are back!

Overall, this is the club's fifth promotion to the Bundesliga after 1982, 1984, 1991 and 2022!
90'
+ 7

Off to the Nordkurve

The players and the coaching staff line up and then rush together towards the stand.
90'
+ 7

"Oh, how beautiful this is!"

The fans are celebrating, while the players on the pitch slowly pull on their specially made T-shirts – printed with the words: "Up we go, Schalke".
90'
+ 7

There is no stopping them now!

The players are embracing each other, and here and there a few tears are beginning to roll.
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Full-time: Schalke 1-0 Fortuna Düsseldorf

Schalke are back in the Bundesliga after three years in the second division! The Royal Blues manage to hold on to their narrow lead and see the game out – and all in all, that seems fair enough. In an evenly contested match, the hosts were rewarded early on through Karaman, while Düsseldorf, on the other hand, missed their chance to equalise during their strong spell in the middle of the second half. For Fortuna, it is yet another setback in the relegation battle – in the worst case, Ende's side could even drop into a direct relegation place tomorrow.
Full-time
90'
+ 5

Aouchiche!

Džeko has a lot of space in front of him, but takes his time, experienced as he is. He then plays it on to Aouchiche, whose shot attempt is deflected by Oberdorf for another corner.
90'
+ 1

Corner goes in...

...but comes to nothing. Meanwhile, the board goes up for injury time: six minutes stand between Schalke and the Bundesliga!
89'

KARAMAN!

Suddenly Schalke have a lot of space. El-Faouzi plays a composed pass out to the right to his captain, who falls over as he shoots and forces Kastenmeier into another brilliant save. Corner for for the hosts!
89'

Where is Džeko?

The striker has barely been involved in the game so far. The match is drawing to a close, and Düsseldorf are not exactly pushing for an equaliser at the moment. Are we about to see the Schalke celebrations begin?
84'

Goal drought away from home

Fortuna are facing the prospect of their fourth consecutive away defeat without scoring a single goal.
83'

Will wee see another goal?

The match is back underway. There are less than ten minutes left on the clock. Can Schalke hold on to their narrow lead?
82'

Multiple substitutions

In the meantime, Fortuna coach Ende makes another double substitution, while Muslić also brings fresh energy off the bench with Sánchez and Gantenbein.
80'

Kuruçay goes down again

The Schalke team doctors rush over. A few minutes ago he struck a ball on the volley, and since then, the defender has been limping slightly.
78'

Kastenmeier clears with his head

Kuruçay plays a free kick from his own half up to the edge of the opposition's penalty area. Sylla moves towards it, but so does the visiting goalkeeper, who clears with a header to the outside. Great piece of play all-round!
77'

Miscommunication

Alexandropoulos anticipates a teammate making a run down the left flank and plays the ball to him from the edge of the penalty area. However, no teammate had made that run – and the ball rolls into empty space.
75'

Schalke fans are in full voice

"Stand up if you're a Schalker", echoes through the stadium. It's not down to the fans – it's currently the players in royal blue who are struggling to create danger. At least they have now regained some control of the game after what was probably Düsseldorf's best spell of the match.
71'

Another Fortuna opportunity!

Substitute Raimund has a rush of blood to the head and blasts the ball with his left foot past the far post.
69'

Here comes Džeko!

Will the Bosnian be Schalke's saviour? During this strong spell from Düsseldorf, a goal would do the hosts a world of good.
68'

He had to score that!

Appelkamp delivers a free kick brilliantly with curl into the Schalke box. Itten then slides in and places the ball with a stretched leg just to the left of the net!
67'

Another Yellow

Aouchiche holds on to Appelkamp's shirt for a bit too long.
66'

Wasted chance

The match is picking up pace. Sylla wins the ball off an unconvincing Egouli and plays it to Ljubicic. However, he practically gifts Kastenmeier the ball by shooting far too centrally.
65'

Double Düsseldorf switch

Heyer and Raimund replace Breithaupt and Lenz for the final 25 minutes.
63'

Karaman can't beat the keeper!

Schalke counter. Karaman drives forward at pace and, already having penetrated the box, beats Oberdorf on the left with two step-overs. Kastenmeier does not look set when Karaman takes his shot, but he makes a secure save at the second attempt.
0:16
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Karius again!

With a bit of luck, Ljubicic plays the ball through to Appelkamp, who – this time on the left – finds himself completely unmarked in front of Karius and gets a shot away. But Karius saves this one too!
57'

Huge chance for Oberdorf!

The defender is played in on the right in front of Karius and tests the Schalke goalkeeper with a low shot. The Düsseldorf attacker was offside when receiving the pass, so it would have been ruled out even if he had scored.
55'

Corner for Schalke

For the first time in the second half, the Veltins-Arena gets really loud. After the corner is taken, Düsseldorf cannot clear the ball, and Schallenberg's attempted overhead kick then goes wide of the post.
51'

Sylla booked

Once again, Schalke play it quickly through the middle. Karaman wants to chip the ball centrally in front of goal to Sylla, but instead of the ball, he only catches goalkeeper Kastenmeier. Ittrich rules an offensive foul and gives a yellow card to the striker.
50'

Playing on through gritted teeth

Kuruçay is able to continue playing for now and drops back into position at the back.
48'

Painful for Kuruçay

The defender has an uncomfortable clash with Itten, as both go into a sliding tackle for the ball. The Schalke player needs brief treatment and is left with a slight limp.
47'

A direct free kick

El-Faouzi delivers it from the right into the penalty area, where Karaman meets the ball with a header and sends it well wide of the goal.
46'

We're off again!

Both managers opt against making any substitutions. We have 45 minutes left until Schalke's promotion party...or do Düsseldorf have other plans?
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2

Workhorse El-Faouzi

The Schalke midfielder contested the most duels of all players, winning an outstanding 86 per cent of them, and also covered the most ground (6.4 km).
0:23
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Not too far away from Aouchiche

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Half-time: Schalke 1-0 Fortuna Düsseldorf

Schalke have put in a spirited performance so far, going into challenges more aggressively from the off and deservedly leading at the break through Karaman's goal. Düsseldorf keep finding decent openings, predominantly down the left flank, but are overall still too wasteful. At the moment, all signs point to Bundesliga football being played in Gelsenkirchen again next season!
Half-time
45'
+ 1

Half-time is approaching

One minute of stoppage-time has been added.
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Toothless visitors

Schalke are sitting relatively high up the pitch, but are currently not pressing Fortuna during their build-up play. Fortuna are finding it difficult to get into the final third due to the well-organised home side. Time and again they are losing the ball in midfield.
39'

Itten has been off the pace so far

Fortuna's top scorer has had one headed chance, but otherwise, he has been well marshalled by the Schalke centre-backs and has lost more than two thirds of his duels.
36'

Off Target

Schalke find some space and play it quickly forward. Ljubicic then receives the ball on the right and aims for the far corner with his subsequent shot. However, the ball goes well wide.
32'

Quick thinking

Schalke press high up the pitch, forcing an error in the visitors' build-up play. Ljubicic reacts quickly and wants to play Sylla in immediately, but a Düsseldorf player is alert to the danger.
31'

Play resumes

Lenz is back on his feet and Fortuna remain in possession.
29'

The visitors are in control

Düsseldorf are now in possession and are bringing some calm to the game. Moments ago Lenz collided with a Schalke player, with the defender needing brief treatment afterwards.
24'

First booking

El-Faouzi is fouled after Breithaupt pulled on his shirt. The Fortuna man picks up a yellow card.
22'

Too central

Once again, a dangerous cross from Lenz is floated into the box. Itten rises high and heads the ball straight into Karius' arms.
0:25
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Aouchiche...off the post!

Egouli shoves El-Faouzi to the ground near the centre circle – free kick. Aouchiche then steps up and curls the ball past the right side of the Düsseldorf wall and onto the outside of the post. So close to a second!
17'

14th goal of the season for Karaman!

The veteran forward has thereby set a new personal record for a league season.
15'

Schalke lead!!

The captain puts the hosts in front – and takes them one step closer to the Bundesliga! Düsseldorf build through the centre, El Azzouzi intercepts, turns through the centre and plays the ball on to Aouchiche. He plays it from the left into the middle, where a Düsseldorf player gets a touch on the ball. It then bounces up slightly as a result, but Karaman brings it under control brilliantly and fires it over Kastenmeier from the left half-space into the far corner!
15'
Kenan Karaman
Goal probability
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Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
10 %
Shot speed
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Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
86.58 km/h
Distance to Goal
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Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
14.09 m
13'

Karius is there again

Lenz has been quite prominent down his left flank so far. Now he whips in a cross towards the penalty area, but Karius is on hand and plucks the ball out of the air.
12'

The referee gets in the way

Kuruçay wants to play a firm ball through the centre, but hits Ittrich square on. The referee returns the ball with a smile -Schalke now build up from the back.
9'

No problem for Karius

The Schalke keeper is now able to hold the ball in his hands for the first time, as he comfortably collects a low cross from Lenz on the left side.
7'

Schalke countering well

Becker drives the ball forward down his right flank. After two more touches the ball finds Sylla, who is allowed to shoot unmarked on the right side of the penalty area. However, his attempt is too central and doesn't trouble the keeper.
5'

Royal blue pressing

Karaman's shot is blocked, but Schalke remain tenacious and win the ball straight back with Schallenberg. Aouchiche then shoots from the half-left channel, but Kastenmeier is on hand to make the save.
4'

Early pressure

Karaman plays a strong ball through two Düsseldorf players, but there is just a bit too much power behind the pass. Sylla slides in and at least wins a corner which Fortuna are able to clear with a header.
2'

Early offside

The ball is played through to Itten, who is just about to turn on the afterburners, when he is whistled back by referee Patrick Ittrich – offside.
1'

We're off!

The ball is rolling, the away side have kicked off. Will Schalke win promotion to the Bundesliga? Or will Düsseldorf have something to say about that this evening?
Kick-off!

Kick-off approaching

The teams emerge from the tunnel, accompanied by loud fans and the onset of rain.
0:17
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Watch: It's almost time!

0:14
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Watch: Atmosphere is building at the VELTINS-Arena

0:18
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Watch: Schalke head out for their warm-up

0:24
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Watch: Schalke arrive!

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Džeko an option once again

The Bosnian is back in Schalke's squad for the first time since his red card on Matchday 26, and after a subsequent shoulder injury.
2:16
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Watch: The visitors have arrived!

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More on that Düsseldorf team

For Fortuna there is one change compared to last week. Instead of Anouar El Azzouzi, who is absent from the squad, Tim Breithaupt starts in midfield, only his second start in the second half of the season.
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More on that Schalke team

Miron Muslić is naming an unchanged starting line-up for a third consecutive time, which is a first under the manager and last happened at Schalke back in November 2017 under Domenico Tedesco.
1:36
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Watch: What a reception for Ljubicic

0:45
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Watch: Calm before the storm

1:44
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Watch: The fan march from a drone's perspective

0:33
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Watch: Schalke fans march to the VELTINS-Arena

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Title on the cards?

It might be an afterthought with promotion at stake, but should Schalke win and Paderborn then fail to win away at fourth-placed Elversberg on Sunday, the club would secure the Bundesliga 2 title for the fourth time.
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Seeing out promotion in style?

Schalke are going into the game unbeaten in 11 matches and with four wins in a row.
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Karius the key

Loris Karius has enjoyed a real renaissance at Schalke this season, saving 74 percent of shots - which is the most of any regular goalkeeper in Bundesliga 2.
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Karaman continuity

Schalke's last match in the Bundesliga was a 4-2 defeat to RB Leipzig three years ago this month. Kenan Karaman came on as a substitute, and is the only man in the current Schalke squad to have featured back then.
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Captain Karaman talks about promotion dream

The Schalke attacker told the Bundesliga: "People can't wait for promotion to the Bundesliga. After two difficult years, it would mean a lot to everyone connected to the club.”
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Alexander Ende on facing Schalke

"We're up against a side who are always full of energy. That's how Schalke have approached every game, and that's why they're top of the table. We have to rise to the challenge. I don't think they'll be thinking about promotion celebrations or anything like that. We need to make sure we make the right decisions."
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Miron Muslić on facing Düsseldorf

"We haven't done anything out of the ordinary in training this week. We've done the same things that have served us so well over the past few weeks and months. We just need to deliver what has set us apart this season. Then it'll be tough for Fortuna."
0:26
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What promotion would mean to the Schalke fans

3:01
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Watch: Schalke one game away from the big time

After three years in Bundesliga 2, Schalke could secure their long-awaited return to the top flight on Saturday.
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First time for everything

Schalke have never lost at home to Fortuna in Bundesliga 2, but have only won once (D3). Düsseldorf's last away win in Gelsenkirchen was over seven years ago (4-0 in the Bundesliga).
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A bit of history

Fortuna became German champions for the first and only time in 1933, beating Schalke 3-0 in the final in Cologne.
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Familiar face

Kenan Karaman scored from the penalty spot when the clubs last met. He made 41 Bundesliga appearances and 28 in Bundesliga 2 during a three-year spell at Fortuna, before moving to Schalke in 2022 following a season-long stint at Besiktas.
2:13
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Watch: Fortuna 0-2 Schalke - previous meeting

Schalke ended a run of five winless matches against Fortuna with a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture. However, the Royal Blues have never done a season double over Düsseldorf in Bundesliga 2.
2:08
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Watch: Paderborn 2-3 Schalke - last time out

Leaders Schalke hit back from 2-0 down to beat second-placed Paderborn on Matchday 31. Miron Muslić's charges can secure promotion to the Bundesliga with another win this weekend.
2:13
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Watch: Düsseldorf 3-1 Dresden - last time out

Cedric Itten’s 13th strike of the season sent Fortuna on their way as they secured their first win in six games to move out of the relegation zone.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 32 fixture between Schalke and Fortuna Düsseldorf.