Robin Gosens leads Schalke to their first Bundesliga win since May 2023

Robin Gosens led FC Schalke 04 to their first Bundesliga win since May 2023, further exacerbating the worries of his former club Union Berlin. A week after the respectful draw against FC Bayern, the promoted team from Gelsenkirchen won 3-1 (1-0) in Köpenick.

1,203 days after Schalke's last Bundesliga goal, Gosens redeemed the Royal Blues in the 25th minute. Gosens played his first 31 Bundesliga games in the Köpenicker jersey. In the 2023/24 season, the 24-time national player was the Iron Men's top scorer with six goals and three assists. Adil Aouchiche (46th) followed up immediately after the break. Union's Tim Skarke, who also played for Gelsenkirchen, shortened the score shortly before the end (90+6) before substitute Maximilian Wöber (90+13) decided the game. Miron Muslic's team now has four points. The Köpenickers and coach Mauro Lustrinelli at one.

A positive reason: Schalke without Sylla

Muslic had to restructure at short notice. Striker Moussa Sylla was missing after the birth of his child, captain Kenan Karaman returned to the starting line-up after recovering from a hip injury. “Inviolable for us and also irreplaceable,” Muslic explained his decision. Woo-Yeong Jeong started at Union for the first time this season.

Muslic was right in his prediction that the floodlit game would not be a “beauty contest”. After all, the 43-year-old saw significantly better Schalke players. The guests didn't initially have any clear chances to score, but Karaman and Aouchiche at least threatened to score with shots from a distance.

Union had problems even getting over the halfway line. Gosens' impressive volley hit was well deserved. The Berliners could thank goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow that the score wasn't 0-3 at halftime.

Ten goals conceded: the Union showpiece no longer exists

The teams had only been on the pitch for a few seconds after halftime when the ball was already in the Union net again. After the referee team initially ruled the game offside, the VAR intervened and corrected the decision.

There is little left of the former Union showpiece, the defense. The Iron team conceded ten goals in three games. At least Schalke's second goal woke up the home team and Union had its first big chance after 54 minutes. Until then, keeper Loris Karius was virtually unemployed at his old place of work.

The game was interrupted for almost ten minutes during this phase. Referee Timo Gerach was injured and could no longer continue. The fourth official, Jarno Wienefeld, took over - and initially ran towards the Schalke goal.

Because Union continued to press for the connection - Tom Rothe (75th) missed a good opportunity. Janik Haberer only hit the post (87th). On the first matchday, the Berliners made up a two-goal deficit against Frankfurt. This time it was only enough for Skarke to temporarily score.