FC Schalke 04 suffered a 0-2 defeat to VfL Bochum following a lackluster performance.

This is not how FC Schalke 04 envisioned starting 2026. Three games, no wins—the top spot in the standings could be gone before long. The 0-2 loss to VfL Bochum was already on the horizon early on.

VfL got off to a dream start. Just 42 seconds into the game, Miyoshi put the hosts ahead. After a pass from Gerrit Holtmann, the Japanese player stunned the league leaders. Muslic called the early goal a “worst-case scenario.”

Timo Horn saw it quite differently: “Absolutely perfect. We kept a clean sheet and scored two beautiful goals. We were the better team than Schalke and were there in the tackles. It was clear that things would get hectic toward the end. We defended everything away and played a great game,” the VfL keeper celebrated in the aftermath of the match on “Sky.”

It developed into a thrilling and evenly matched game. Schalke had more possession, but Bochum had the better chances. The very agile Holtmann, in particular, was a constant threat down the left flank. The 30-year-old also set up Bochum’s second goal. This time, Hofmann converted his precise pass in the middle.

“That was extremely poor defending,” criticized Muslic, and his captain Kenan Karaman said: “I think we completely slept through the first half.”

In the second half, Schalke increased the pressure with Edin Dzeko. After a corner, Nikola Katic scored what appeared to be the equalizer. However, referee Michael Bacher ruled a foul and disallowed the goal. A harsh decision. “I think we scored a clear goal,” said Muslic. Another Schalke goal by Karaman was subsequently disallowed due to a previous handball by Dzeko.

So Schalke remains in first place for now, but feels the breath of SV Darmstadt 96 and SC Paderborn 07 on its neck. Both teams can overtake the Royal Blues with wins on Sunday, sending Schalke down to third place.