FC Schalke 04 suffered a 0-2 defeat to VfL Bochum after a weak performance. This is not how FC Schalke 04 imagined starting 2026. Three games, no wins, and their lead at the top of the table could soon be gone. The 0-2 defeat to VfL Bochum was evident early on.

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

Timo Horn had a completely different view: “Absolutely perfect. We kept a clean sheet and scored two beautiful goals. We were superior to Schalke in terms of play and were there in the challenges. It was clear that it would get hectic at the back. We defended everything and played a great game,” the VfL keeper rejoiced after the match on Sky.

It was 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 wing. The 30-year-old also set up Bochum’s second goal, this time with a precise pass to Hofmann 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. Nikola Katic scored what would have been the equalizer from a corner. However, referee Michael Bacher ruled it a foul and disallowed the goal. It was a tough 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 are still in first place, but they can feel SV Darmstadt 96 and SC Paderborn 07 breathing down their necks. Both teams can overtake the miners with wins on Sunday, pushing Schalke down to third place.