After securing promotion with a victory against St. Pauli on Saturday evening, Schalke 04 will return to the Bundesliga next season. Last season, the Royal Blues were demoted to Germany’s second division following a terrible campaign. However, they were able to get promotion at the first attempt.
Their comeback implies that the Revierderby between arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 will be contested again next season. The’mother of all derbies,’ this match has produced some of the most famous and unforgettable moments in Bundesliga history.
With Schalke’s comeback, the Bundesliga will include three clubs from the Ruhr area next season. In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund fans may look forward to local derbies against Bochum and Schalke.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, the CEO of Borussia Dortmund, indicated on Friday that he would be delighted if Schalke were promoted to the Bundesliga. And Schalke 04 did just that on Saturday, coming back from two goals down to beat St. Pauli 3-2. They are now guaranteed a top-two finish, regardless of what happens on the last day of the season.
The race for the last automatic promotion spot as well as the promotion/relegation playoff spot is expected to be fierce. Due to their better goal difference over Darmstadt and Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV is presently in second position. With a win over Erzgebirge Aue on Sunday, Werder Bremen may move into second position.