Schalke before the big moment: With a win against Düsseldorf, direct return to the Bundesliga

FC Schalke 04 is facing a decisive weekend in the promotion race of the 2. Bundesliga. On Saturday evening, coach Miron Muslic's team will host Fortuna Düsseldorf – and can mathematically secure their return to the top division as early as the third-to-last matchday.

A win against Düsseldorf – and promotion is secured

The calculation is simplest for Schalke if they simply win in the end: With a home victory against Fortuna Düsseldorf, promotion would be certain this weekend. It would mark their return to the Bundesliga after three years in the 2nd division.

Kickoff is on Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m. in front of their home crowd. Schalke would thus have the first opportunity to make the decision early – not just on the final matchday, but already now. This is where the sporting and psychological significance lies: Whoever secures promotion early takes the pressure off the remaining weeks and prevents an entire season from hinging on a single final match.

It can be enough even without three points – Schalke has more than one path

Schalke is not solely dependent on their own win this weekend. A draw can also be enough: Then promotion would also be perfect if Hannover 96 does not win against Preußen Münster on Sunday.

Even in the event of a defeat, there remains a scenario that still brings Schalke up. For this, Hannover would have to lose – and Elversberg must not get more than a draw against Paderborn. In this constellation, promotion would not be decided at the final whistle in Gelsenkirchen, but through the results of the competition. In fan language, this is the "sofa" moment: The decisive step then does not come from your own last punch, but from a weekend that tips elsewhere.

The matchday is not only decided in Gelsenkirchen

As much as Schalke can set the pace on Saturday – the promotion question will also be written this weekend in the parallel matches. Hannover 96 is challenged on Sunday against Preußen Münster, Elversberg faces Paderborn. Accordingly, after their own match, attention quickly turns to the other venues.

For Schalke, however, the message remains clear: The most direct and cleanest way leads through the home match against Düsseldorf. A win – and the return to the Bundesliga is achieved.