Edin Džeko’s record-breaking debut for Schalke in Bundesliga 2
Edin Džeko became the oldest scorer in Bundesliga 2 history with the goal that sparked Schalke’s late comeback against Kaiserslautern on Sunday.
Aged 39 years and 314 days, it’s been a memorable few days for the Bosnian, who was named among the substitutes for their Matchday 19 clash against Lautern.
At 2-0 down, Miron Muslić called upon his new hitman, and it took a mere 20 minutes for Džeko to open his Schalke account after replacing Amin Younes in the 67th minute.
Mika Wallentowitz delivered a lofted ball into the Kaiserslautern penalty area, which was brought down under pressure by Džeko, who finished in world-class fashion.
Watch: Džeko opens Schalke account
His milestone effort was a typical Džeko goal. “You never forget how to score goals,” he told Sky Germany. Striking in the 87th minute, his goal instilled belief back among his new teammates, who equalised three minutes later through Kenan Karaman.
“He brings back the hope,” said Muslić, who didn’t plan on giving his new signing as many minutes. “Only fifteen minutes were planned, but we needed him.”
A statement goal that confirms Džeko - who has signed a deal with the current Bundesliga 2 leaders until the end of the season - doesn’t see playing in Germany’s second division as a step down. “I see this as playing for Schalke,” he added - with the Royal Blues one of Germany’s most supported clubs.
With Schalke sitting two points clear at the summit, Muslić's side can ill-afford to drop further points, but the Austrian-Bosnian tactician believes Džeko can help their promotion push.
“He’s a superstar, a champion, who wanted to come to Schalke,” he said. “He’ll help us to take that next step.”
Captain Karaman also highlighted Džeko’s invaluable experience as Schalke look to return to Germany’s top flight following their relegation in 2023. “He will help us a lot with his experience and individual class,” he said.
Watch: All Edin Džeko's Bundesliga goals for Wolfsburg in 2008/09
Against Kaiserslautern, Džeko showcased his lethal finishing reminiscent of his time at Wolfsburg, where he plundered 66 goals in 111 Bundesliga appearances.
Some 5,513 days after his last match on German soil, Džeko surpassed Helmut Haller, who at 39 years and 219 days, was previously the oldest Bundesliga 2 goalscorer in the 1978/79 season as Augsburg brushed aside FSV Frankfurt in a 4-1 victory.
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