FC Schalke 04 celebrated their promotion to the Bundesliga with a lively trip to Ibiza, but the party clearly took its toll as the team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Nuremberg on Saturday. Despite the heavy loss, club icon Klaus Fischer has no issue with the players’ decision to enjoy themselves.
“It’s absolutely fine that they celebrated after promotion. When else should they party? At the start of the Bundesliga season?” Fischer said during a recent talk show. “The club, the team, and the coach did everything right.”
The former Germany international pointed out that the squad deserves to unwind after securing the 2. Bundesliga title. While Nuremberg’s win moved them up to eighth place, Schalke still have a final match against Eintracht Braunschweig, who are fighting to avoid relegation. “They’ll refocus now for Saturday’s game, which is crucial,” Fischer added.
Rüdiger Abramczik, another Schalke great, echoed that sentiment. “After a good season and winning the title early, you should be allowed to celebrate for a few days. It’s not like they were drinking for three days straight. They had some fun, so don’t blow it out of proportion.”
Schalke coach Miron Muslic had insisted before the match that the team would be in “competition mode” and aimed to win in Nuremberg. However, an own goal by Ron Schallenberg and strikes from Henri Koudossou and Mohamed Ali Zoma sealed the defeat, which could have been even heavier.