GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) – Edin Dzeko returned in time for celebrations as seven-time German champions Schalke secured a return to the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday.
Kenan Karaman’s goal in the 13th minute was enough to give Schalke a 10-point lead over third-placed Hannover in Germany’s second division. Hannover have three games remaining, and Schalke have two games remaining. The top two teams will secure automatic promotion to Division 1.
“Words can’t describe it,” said team captain Karaman, who scored his 14th goal of the season by firing the ball inside the far post. “As a club, as a city and as everyone around us, we have been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’m really happy to be able to take this final step at home, because the fans deserve it.”
Supporters were urged not to storm the field and hundreds of stewards lined up to ensure no injuries, but fans seemed content to celebrate in the stands with smoke bombs, beer and songs.
“There was a lot of pressure. It was really pressure. It hasn’t been easy the last few years,” Karaman said of playing in the second division for three consecutive seasons.
Schalke’s promotion push this season is Surprise contract with Jeko In January. The 40-year-old Bosnian forward has scored six goals in nine league games for Schalke. However, he has not played since sustaining a shoulder injury in Bosnia’s World Cup playoff victory over Italy on March 31.
In Dzeko’s absence, other players, particularly Mali forward Moussa Sila, scored three of Schalke’s seven goals of the season in their final six games.
Dzeko made his return to action on Saturday, coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute. Although he failed to score a goal, no Schalke fan complained among the 61,587 supporters in the packed stadium.
“We wanted this win and we wanted to celebrate with the fans today,” said Dzeko, who did not want to look too far ahead. “First of all, let’s celebrate, but we’re very, very happy with this decision to be here in January.”
This is Schalke’s second promotion from the second division in the five years since their first promotion. Relegation from Bundesliga in 2021. Schalke returned as Second Division champions the following season, but remained in the First Division for just one season before being relegated again in 2023.
“There is nothing more important than getting this club back to where it belongs,” said Schalke defender Timo Becker.
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