Schalke host Bayern Munich in their first Bundesliga home game since 2023, with the champions looking to maintain their perfect start.
Schalke 04 will welcome Bundesliga football back to the Veltins-Arena on Saturday when they face defending champions Bayern Munich in one of the most intriguing fixtures of Matchday 2.
The hosts are returning to Germany’s top flight after three seasons away, but their comeback began with a 3-0 defeat at Augsburg. Bayern, meanwhile, could hardly have made a stronger start, beating VfB Stuttgart 5-1 before following it up with a 4-1 DFB-Pokal victory over Osnabrück.
Match Preview
There will be plenty of emotion inside the Veltins-Arena as Schalke prepare for their first Bundesliga home match since May 2023.
Miron Muslic’s side won the 2. Bundesliga last season and were one of the strongest home teams in the division. They went unbeaten in their final 14 competitive home matches, winning 11 and drawing three. Now, however, they face arguably the biggest challenge German football can offer.
The opening-day defeat to Augsburg was frustrating, particularly because Schalke were still in the game before Ron Schallenberg’s red card changed the contest. Muslic will hope his side can show a much more disciplined performance with a full complement of players.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern have started the campaign with three victories in three competitions.
They defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, demolished Stuttgart 5-1 in their Bundesliga opener and then overcame Osnabrück 4-1 in the DFB-Pokal.
The most encouraging aspect for Bayern is that the goals have been spread around the team. Four different players scored against Stuttgart, while Harry Kane then added a brace against Osnabrück. The champions have looked hungry from the opening whistle.
Team News
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the match is the return of Jamal Musiala.
The Germany international has missed Bayern’s opening three competitive games after suffering neurological problems during pre-season. However, Musiala completed the full training week and has now returned to Bayern’s matchday squad for the trip to Schalke.
Whether Kompany immediately throws him into the starting XI remains uncertain, but simply having Musiala available gives Bayern another devastating attacking option.
Manuel Neuer will also return to the stadium where he spent much of his career. The Bayern captain came through Schalke’s academy and played for the club before moving to Munich in 2011.
At 40, Neuer is also approaching what is expected to be the final season of his playing career, making Saturday’s reunion potentially his last Bundesliga appearance at his former home as an active player.
Bayern have won their last 12 meetings with Schalke by an aggregate score of 42-2, while their last Bundesliga defeat to the Royal Blues came way back in December 2010. Bayern have also gone unbeaten in their last 23 Bundesliga meetings with Schalke, winning 20 and drawing three.
The last meeting in May 2023 ended in a 6-0 Bayern victory.
Prediction
Prediction: Schalke 1-4 Bayern Munich.
