Schalke 04 has seized control in the 2. Bundesliga. The traditional club did so in a direct top-of-the-table clash against Paderborn, who had been league leaders until Friday evening. Afterwards, there was great joy at the club that is longing for a return to the highest level.
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Yesterday at 18:30 in Gelsenkirchen, Schalke 04 beat Paderborn 2-1 in a dramatic top-of-the-table clash that could prove to be a turning point in their season.
For long stretches it looked like the game would drift toward a draw that neither side really wanted, but in the decisive moment Schalke showed the ruthlessness they have been missing too often in recent years. When Bryan Lasme broke free in the closing minutes and calmly steered the ball into the net, the tension inside the Veltins-Arena finally snapped. Players sprinted to the corner flag, substitutes poured onto the pitch, and the noise from the stands felt like a club waking up again.
Right at the end, Lasme caused an explosion of joy in Gelsenkirchen with the winning goal that sealed the 2-1 victory. For coach Miron Muslic, the match was about much more than just three points against a direct rival. Speaking to Sky afterwards, he said it felt fantastic, that it felt very good, and that it was almost unbelievable how his side managed to put such a strong, physically imposing Paderborn team under so much pressure. Schalke not only defeated the side that came into the night as league leaders, they also showed that they can dominate a promotion contender over ninety minutes. Muslic highlighted how often his team won second balls, how aggressively they pressed, and how consistently they created chances. In his eyes, this was exactly the type of performance that had been missing in previous campaigns.
The story of the evening, however, belonged to Lasme. Muslic had only thrown the forward into the game shortly before the winning goal, looking for one last injection of speed and power against a tiring defense. From the touchline, the coach knew that the substitution was a risk, but also a clear message. He wanted to show his team and the entire stadium that Schalke were playing for the win, not simply protecting a point against a direct rival. It turned into a golden change. Lasme used his pace to stretch the Paderborn back line, forced their defenders to turn and run, and made several dangerous runs in behind before finally getting his big moment.
On the decisive attack, Schalke recovered the ball in midfield and moved it forward with two sharp passes. Lasme timed his run perfectly, drifting into the space between center-back and full-back. With his first touch he carried the ball into the box, with his second he opened up his body and finished with a composed strike that rolled just inside the far post. The movement and the calm finish reminded many Schalke fans of the class once shown by Raúl in his time at the club. Muslic smiled afterwards when this comparison was mentioned, admitting that Lasme’s movement in the box, his balance and the way he shaped his body were reminiscent of the Spanish legend. At the same time, the coach joked that he would have been furious with the forward if he had not scored from such a chance.
Beyond the emotion of the late winner, the 2-1 success told a positive tactical story for Schalke. From the beginning, they tried to impose themselves physically on Paderborn, a side known for its power and intensity. The midfield duo worked tirelessly to close passing lanes, the wingers tracked back to help their full-backs, and the defensive line stayed brave by holding a relatively high position. Even when Paderborn managed a few dangerous counterattacks, Schalke did not retreat too deep or abandon their principles. That courage was rewarded over time, as the visitors began to show signs of fatigue and found it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half.
In possession, Schalke played with more patience and structure than in previous weeks. Instead of hitting hopeful long balls toward the forwards, they tried to build from the back and pull Paderborn out of shape. The full-backs pushed high to provide width, the wide attackers drifted into central pockets between the lines, and the center-forward constantly moved across the front line to drag defenders into uncomfortable zones. This approach created a series of half-chances and dangerous situations long before the decisive goal arrived. Even when some opportunities were wasted, there was a growing feeling in the stadium that Schalke were getting closer to a breakthrough rather than running out of ideas.
The atmosphere in the Veltins-Arena played a crucial part in pushing the team to the finish line. Schalke supporters had been waiting for a night like this, a match where the team not only picked up points but also showed authority against a top opponent. Throughout the second half, every sliding tackle, every intercepted pass and every pressing action was greeted with roars. When the fourth official indicated the added time, the noise inside the stadium rose once more as the crowd tried to drag their team over the line. When the referee finally blew for full-time, confirming the 2-1 victory, players and fans celebrated together in front of the stands, underlining how much the win meant to a club that has carried a heavy burden of disappointment and instability in recent seasons.
In the dressing room, the mood was understandably euphoric. Muslic revealed that the players went completely wild after the match, turning up the music and singing that they would be getting three days off as a reward. The coach joined in the singing and the celebrations, and only later did he realize what he had effectively promised. With a smile he admitted that this might not have been the wisest decision from a strictly professional perspective, but also that it reflected the emotional release after such an intense and important win. The players had pushed themselves to the limit, and for Muslic it was just as important to let them enjoy the moment as it was to start planning for the next challenge.
That next challenge comes quickly, with a derby against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Friday. Managing the emotional high from the Paderborn game will be key. Muslic spoke about taking the sharp edges off in the coming days, helping the players to calm down, recover physically and mentally, and then refocus on the work on the training pitch. The derby will bring a different type of pressure, shaped by local rivalry, pride and history rather than the symbolism of beating the league leaders. If Schalke want to build on their new position of strength, they will have to prove that the 2-1 win over Paderborn was not a one-off performance, but the beginning of a more consistent and mature phase.
For Schalke supporters, the league table suddenly looks far more encouraging. Defeating a team that had been leading the division is more than a short-term boost. It shows that Schalke can compete with and overcome the best sides in the 2. Bundesliga, and it strengthens the belief that a return to the top flight is not just a distant dream. There is still a long way to go in the season and setbacks will certainly come, but this 2-1 victory feels like a marker. With Lasme’s late strike, Muslic’s bold in-game decisions and the backing of a passionate crowd, Schalke have sent a clear message to the rest of the league that they intend to stay in the fight at the top.
Updated: 11:46, 29 Nov 2025
