After their first win of the season, VfL fans immediately turned their attention to the future. After the DFB Cup, the next game is against FC Schalke 04. The fans’ mission is clear.

No sooner had VfL Bochum secured its first win of the season with a 2-0 (0-0) victory over SV Elversberg in front of 24,207 spectators on the second matchday than the fans were already looking ahead.

The next game is away to FC Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen (Saturday, August 23, 8:30 p.m.). The Royal Blues got off to a good start with a 2-1 win against Hertha BSC, but then lost 1-0 to 1.FC Kaiserslautern. Both clubs now have three points each.

The VfL fans have a clear message for their team: “Everyone in white to GE! Let’s win the derby,” wrote the Ultras Bochum on their WhatsApp channel “Blick in die Kurve” (A look at the stands).

Around 6,000 fans of the Bundesliga relegation team will be in the neighboring city the weekend after next.

All in white? That brings back memories of the 2006/07 season. Back then, FC Schalke 04 fans caused a stir in Bochum. Wearing white T-shirts with the slogan “Nordkurve in your city,” thousands of S04 supporters paraded through Bochum and to the Ruhrstadion before the game, drunk with victory. Half the stadium was in Schalke hands. The firmly planned victory in the second half of the season was supposed to bring the Royal Blues a big step closer to the German championship. The end is well known. On April 27, 2007, VfL Bochum defeated Schalke 04 2-1, virtually securing their place in the league. VfL Bochum responded with their own T-shirts. “Not in my city,” was the slogan printed on them. The Royal Blues slunk back to Gelsenkirchen after the game.

So now the Ostkurve in your city? It probably won’t go that far. However, the top match of the third matchday should give both clubs another indication of how the teams are actually performing.

For Bochum fans, it’s clear who will come out on top in the end.