2nd Bundesliga
Schalke avoids embarrassment – and remains league leaders
Updated February 28, 2026 – 10:42 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
FC Schalke 04 is a long way behind against Greuther Fürth and is having a hard time. In the end, the Royal Blues saved the lead in the table.
FC Schalke 04 averted an embarrassment in the 2nd Bundesliga and at least saved a draw against bottom team Greuther Fürth. At the Ronhof sports park, Schalke were behind for a long time, but in the end they managed a 1-1 draw. Dennis Srbeny had given Fürth the lead in the twelfth minute, and Dejan Ljubičić equalized in the 75th minute with a remarkable long-range shot. Five minutes earlier, the hosts’ 2-0 lead was revoked due to an offside position.
Schalke’s point gain is enough to maintain their lead in the second division, although the “Knappen” are only one point ahead of SC Paderborn. Fürth remains last due to the division of points, but is now level on points with the penultimate Magdeburg and Muenster on the relegation place.
At the beginning, Fürth tried to play out from the back and put themselves in trouble a few times against Schalke’s pressing. Edin Džeko had the first good opportunity in the ninth minute. Silas Scheckrock safely deflected his flick towards the corner.
But shortly afterwards the Royal Blues were not awake. Branimir Hrgota was not disturbed on his cross. In the defensive center, Nikola Katić was far too far away from Srbeny, who confidently poked the ball into the goal.
In the 32nd minute, Hasan Kuruçay narrowly missed the equalizer with his header. Overall, S04 remained too harmless for a long time against the weakest defense in the league. Fürth improved after the shaky initial phase.
After the substitution, Ljubičić failed to hit the ball from a good position (57′). The supposed 2-0 for the home team did not count because of Srbeny’s offside position (67′). The Royal Blues took more and more control. With his cracker under the crossbar from 26 meters, Ljubičić saved Schalke a point and the league lead.
