FC Schalke 04 hit a new low with a 2:1 defeat against SV Elversberg. Afterwards there was also malice from the opponent.

Whoever wins has a good laugh. And if the village club SV Elversberg wins 2:1 at FC Schalke 04, even more so.

Jannik Rochelt was in a correspondingly good mood when he entered the mixed zone after the game. The scorer of the interim 2:0 first explained his goal, in which he beat Justin Heekeren with an artistic shot from the edge of the penalty area to the inside post. “I saw that there was a bit of space and I just gave it a go,” said Rochelt.

For the Elversberg players, it was certainly the game of their lives so far. Many of them were still playing in the Regionalliga two years ago. And now in front of 61,110 spectators in the Schalke Arena. “It was great,” said Rochelt. “The fans and stadium were great. We knew it would be good and that we had a lot to look forward to. But everyone went into the game with a certain amount of anticipation. We were really looking forward to the day we were allowed to play here.”

If anything, the crowd spurred him on. “It makes playing soccer worthwhile. These are the games that make you want to play the most,” said the Elversberger. “And once you’ve seen the game, the others felt the same way. “

The game was not really close even after Schalke’s goal, although the hosts still had one or two chances. However, they defended very well throughout the game. “We knew that we could hold our own here too if we played our game,” explained the 25-year-old. “Of course, it’s a bigger challenge than playing in front of 20,000.”

1,495 fans have traveled to Gelsenkirchen from the town of 13,000 inhabitants in Saarland. “When I heard that so many were coming, I was also a bit surprised. I was pleased that so many came along. I think it was worth it,” joked Rochelt.

He has no sympathy for FC Schalke 04, which has 180,000 members and could slip back into a relegation place after the matchday. “I don’t think you have to feel sorry for Schalke 04,” he said. “I think it’s also a difficult situation for Schalke at the moment after relegation. But in the end, we just did our thing. “