After FC Schalke 04’s Bundesliga relegation, we take a look at some of the season’s statistics – and show which S04 pros stand out.

FC Schalke 04 missed the big target in the finished season. The Königsblauen were relegated from the Bundesliga again.

Nevertheless, not everything was bad. After the desolate first half of the season, S04 showed a strong second half. And some of the players also provided bright spots, even ranking among the league leaders in some statistics.

First and foremost, Marius Bülter. The 30-year-old, who will possibly leave the club after relegation, set several records among Schalke’s professionals.

With eleven goals in the season, the left-winger was by far the most goal-threatening attacker. He scored eleven times for the weakest offensive team in the league. The last time Guido Burgstaller managed that in a blue and white jersey was five years ago. And it could have been a few more goals. Bülter only hit the aluminium five times, more than any other Bundesliga professional.

The value of the former top scorer in the Regionalliga for Thomas Reis’ team is underlined by his playing time. No Schalker collected more minutes, Bülter played 33 of 34 possible games. Only a yellow suspension on the penultimate matchday slowed him down.

Bülter was also the Schalke player with the most crosses from play (84, fourth in the Bundesliga). Nevertheless, he only set up one goal. Rodrigo Zalazar provided the most assists – six times the Uruguayan, whose whereabouts are also in doubt, played the decisive ball before scoring.

Another discovery of the season: Tom Krauß. In his first year in the Bundesliga, the player on loan from RB Leipzig impressed in the central midfield position with his strength in tackling and aggressiveness. In 346 duels with his opponents, he kept the upper hand. That makes the 21-year-old the team’s best tackler.

Schalke: Krauß fouled often

Here and there Krauß, who is returning to RB Leipzig for the time being after relegation, overshot the mark. No other Schalke player (8) received as many yellow cards as he did. In terms of fouls committed, the U21 international is even among the league leaders (49, sixth place).

One factor in the relegation of the Gelsenkirchen team was the lack of pace. And indeed, the fastest Schalke player of the season only ranks 41st in a league comparison. It is defensive all-rounder Henning Matriciani who was measured at 34.97 kilometres per hour.

Schalke: Bülter ran the most

In terms of total distance covered, Bülter is once again in the lead. He covered almost 319 kilometres (28th place in the league comparison). The running performance of the entire team, however, shows potential for improvement, with only the Gladbach and Bochum players covering fewer kilometres.

Krauß completed the most sprints, running up to top speed 802 times. His midfield partner Alex Kral also covered many distances at increased speed. So-called intensive runs were recorded for the newcomer from Union Berlin in 1994.

What was much more decisive, however, was that S04 scored the second fewest points of all the Bundesliga teams and must therefore return to the 2nd Bundesliga. Now it is up to those responsible to put together a team that will ensure top scores in the coming round – and bring the Revierklub back to promotion.