With his debut goal, Vitalie Becker helped FC Schalke 04 to their eleventh win of the season at Fortuna Düsseldorf. The 20-year-old thanks his coach.

Next match day, next win, next party. Things couldn’t be going better for FC Schalke 04 in the 2nd Bundesliga at the moment. On Friday evening, the Royal Blues celebrated a 2-0 (1-0) away win in front of 20,000 traveling fans at Fortuna Düsseldorf, meaning they will also finish matchday 15 at the top of the table. Vitalie Becker played a big part in this, sealing the deal in the 81st minute with his 2-0 goal in a game in which Fortuna Düsseldorf still had a chance to equalize despite being a man down.

Becker got involved well after a throw-in on the right and received the ball on the left wing. The 20-year-old penetrated the penalty area, outwitted a defender and finished in the style of an experienced top striker. It was the left-back’s first professional goal. What was striking was that Becker did not run to the fans to celebrate, but to his coach Miron Muslic. Why? “I am very grateful to him,” he told Sky, adding: “I wasn’t really on the radar before the season. The coach gave me the chance, so I wanted to thank him.” Back in the summer, there were rumors of a possible transfer. But Muslic wanted to keep the 20-year-old. “Something like that,” Becker laughed and explained: “I did the preparation, performed well, and gave it my all. He liked that, which is why it turned out the way it did.”

Just recently, the coach praised the development of the junior national player, whom he is working hard with. During the week, a video circulated on social media showing Muslic working with Becker on aerial duels and defending high balls. The coach took on the role of the opponent. “It’s not easy,” Becker said of the older but very physical Muslic. “But that’s the good thing about it, it’s close to the game and it helps me improve. It’s probably better that he does that because he was a striker and has a feel for how the opponent moves. That helps me a lot.”

Currently, this is also helping FC Schalke 04, who, after their eleventh win of the season – already one more than in 2024/2025 – can dream of promotion. At least the fans can, because like his teammates, Becker gave the standard response: “We know things are going well. But we’re staying grounded and taking it one game at a time.”