2nd division: Schalke beats Elversberg - How a lead plays into the hands of the Royal Blues

Lukas Petkov's shot in the 70th minute trickled about five meters wide of the Schalke goal and will likely go down in the statistics as a mere footnote. However, the attempt by the SV Elversberg striker is noteworthy primarily because it was the Saarlanders' first shot on target in the second half. Two more half-chances followed before Schalke could finally breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate their ninth victory in twelve matches this season, a 1-0 win in the top-of-the-table clash in the 2. Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon.

Elversberg failed to create a single clear-cut scoring opportunity in roughly 100 minutes at the Veltins-Arena. Up until then, SV Elversberg had been the top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga, netting 24 goals in their previous eleven matches. However, they couldn't break down the Ruhr club. As so often this season, Schalke's defensive solidity was the key to their narrow victory.

"It wasn't an easy game. Elversberg has quality," said Schalke 04 coach Miron Muslic, before summing it up perfectly: "We had to suffer. But everyone is prepared to suffer." This capacity for suffering has already earned Schalke a total of 27 points. That means, at least overnight, first place in the second division. So far this season, the Royal Blues haven't exactly been shining with their playing prowess. It's their work rate and fighting spirit that distinguish Schalke 04.

Furthermore, Schalke are the early risers of the league. They've already scored six goals in the first 15 minutes. Defender Hasan Kurucay also scored early against Elversberg (4th minute).

Taking the lead plays particularly well into the hands of the Ruhr club. Muslic's team can focus even more on their defensive work. At times, Schalke chase their opponents one-on-one all over the pitch – similar to how Bayern Munich played Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League midweek. This leaves the opposing players no time to breathe. Spaces become tight. And if the opponent then starts using long balls, Nikola Katic and Hasan Kurucay are there to head them home.

"Schalke defends everything back with their star strikers," said Lukas Pinckert, Elversberg's captain. S04 frequently uses long balls and avoids almost any risks – especially when Muslic's team is in the lead. As a result, the opponent almost never gets the ball into dangerous areas.

Schalke rarely attempt to play the ball out from the back with a low, controlled pass. As a result, matches involving Schalke are often contested primarily between the penalty areas, with a focus on physical battles and few chances for either team. Evidence of this is the mere 23 goals scored in matches involving Schalke – the lowest in the league. Schalke themselves have conceded only seven goals – the best record, but have also scored just 16 – placing them tenth in the league.

Schalke fans couldn't care less about these statistics. They're simply happy that, after two dreadful years, there's finally a team on the pitch fighting for every inch. With resounding chants of "Top of the league, top of the league," the spectators at the Veltins Arena sent their team off for the evening on Saturday afternoon. And thanks to the points tally so far, more than ever, some will be dreaming of promotion to the Bundesliga.