Schalke 04 returned to winning ways in Bundesliga 2 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Preußen Münster on Friday, thanks to a decisive goal from Pape Meissa Ba and a standout performance from goalkeeper Loris Karius.
After suffering a 2-0 defeat to Darmstadt in their previous fixture, Schalke were determined to bounce back as they hosted Münster on Matchday 24 of the German second division.
Under the guidance of manager Kees van Wonderen, the team delivered a disciplined display, securing three important points to strengthen their position in the standings.
The match’s defining moment came from Senegalese forward Pape Meissa Ba, who found the net to secure Schalke’s narrow victory.
The goal marked his second for the club since joining and his 13th of the season across all competitions.
His ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities once again proved vital for the Royal Blues.
Loris Karius impresses on debut
While Ba’s goal was crucial, Schalke also owed their victory to the heroics of Loris Karius.
Making his first appearance for the club, the former Liverpool and Newcastle United goalkeeper produced an outstanding performance between the posts.
Karius made five crucial saves, denying Münster any chance of a comeback and ensuring Schalke claimed all three points.
His assured presence in goal provided much-needed stability to a Schalke side that has struggled with consistency this season.
A step forward in the promotion race
The win lifts Schalke to second place in the Bundesliga 2 standings, at least temporarily, as they continue their push for promotion back to the top flight.
The result will serve as a confidence boost for Van Wonderen’s squad, who have experienced a mixed run of form throughout the campaign.
Looking ahead, Schalke will aim to build momentum from this result as they prepare for the upcoming fixtures.
With Pape Meissa Ba in fine form and Loris Karius adding strength to the defense, the Royal Blues will be hoping to maintain their upward trajectory in the race for Bundesliga promotion.
