Promoted Schalke and Elversberg bid to build on strong Bundesliga starts
Two promoted sides, two very different ways of announcing themselves in the Bundesliga. Elversberg have embraced the top flight with fearless, attacking football, while Schalke have relied on defensive resilience and experience. Those contrasting approaches meet at the Veltins-Arena on Matchday 4.
Bayern blueprint
Fresh from a 3-1 victory over Union Berlin, Schalke have their first win of 2026/27 on the board following their return to the top flight after three seasons in the second tier. More importantly, Miron Muslić's side have already shown they can mix it with the Bundesliga's best.
A 3-0 defeat at Augsburg on Matchday 1 was followed by a statement display against reigning champions Bayern Munich. Loris Karius was named Man of the Match as Schalke held Bayern to a goalless draw, ending the defending champions' 59-match scoring streak.
"The lads fought right until the end in order to earn that point," said sporting director Yuri Mulder. "You can't do much better than that against such an outstanding team. In doing so, we proved that we've arrived in the Bundesliga."
Watch: How Schalke shut out Bayern
Capital gains
Schalke followed that defensive masterclass with a clinical display at Union. Goals from Robin Gosens, Adil Aouchiche and Maximilian Wöber secured their first Bundesliga win since May 2023, when they beat Mainz 3-2.
"It's a moment everyone at Schalke has been waiting a long time for," said Muslić. "Winning at Union showed that last week's performance wasn't a one-off. The way we played from the first whistle to the last was very impressive."
Experience has been another key addition. Gosens, Wöber and Hee Chan Hwang have all arrived this summer, with Wöber and Hwang combining for Schalke's third at Union.
"The players coming off the bench keep giving us fresh energy too, which shows that every single player is going to be important for us," added captain Kenan Karaman. "We know our role as a promoted side and what's required of us. But we don't need to be intimidated by anyone."
Watch: Union Berlin 1-3 Schalke - highlights
Flying start
For Elversberg, this is uncharted territory. The Saarland club are Bundesliga newcomers, playing in the top flight for the first time in their history, but they have attacked the challenge with no fear.
Vincent Wagner's high-intensity side announced themselves on Matchday 1 by racing into a 2-0 lead against Bayer Leverkusen inside nine minutes through Lukas Petkov and Cole Campbell, before holding on for a remarkable 3-2 victory. They then came from behind to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-3 on Matchday 2, with Maurice Krattenmacher scoring twice, including a dramatic added-time winner.
"I enjoyed the way we played football – simply a sensational team performance from everyone," said Wagner, who guided Elversberg to promotion as runners-up to Schalke with 62 points last season.
Watch: Elversberg - Living the dream
Youngsters impressing
A 2-1 defeat to Bayern followed, but Elversberg again went toe-to-toe with the champions. Krattenmacher, who joined from Bayern this summer, scored a sensational equaliser against his former club before Harry Kane's late winner. The 22-year-old is one of several exciting young additions. Francis Onyeka and Noah Darvich have also arrived on loan from Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart, respectively.
Elversberg's free-flowing attack produced 64 goals in Bundesliga 2 last season and has already carried that threat into the top flight. Their eight goals after three matchdays are bettered by only Freiburg, Augsburg and RB Leipzig.
Watch: Maurice Krattenmacher's superb hit against Bayern
Contrasts collide
Schalke have built their early-season success on defensive organisation and control; Elversberg have thrived on intensity, attacking ambition and a willingness to play on the front foot.
The Royal Blues' defensive resolve will face a stern test against an Elversberg side that has scored eight goals in its first three Bundesliga games. With both promoted clubs making an early statement in the top flight, their Matchday 4 meeting at the Veltins-Arena offers another chance to see which can maintain their momentum.
