FC Schalke 04 sit in ninth place in the all-time Bundesliga table, but have faced several blows to their reputation over the last few seasons. After 30 years in the top flight, Schalke were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga in 2020/21. Although they achieved immediate promotion, the team had to face the pain of  relegation again in 2022/23. After three further seasons outside the top tier of German football, the 'Königsblauen' have now returned as 2. Liga champions. Head coach Miron Muslić played a crucial role in the promotion, stabilising the team after the turbulent years and, with a playing style based around the strength of his defence, leading them back to the Bundesliga. The 43-year-old typically employs a 3-4-2-1 system with a robust three-man defence in front of goalkeeper Loris Karius. Under his leadership, Schalke were the miserliest side in the 2. Bundesliga last season, conceding only 31 goals.  

Their return to the Bundesliga meant several personnel changes in the Gelsenkirchen club's squad. Eleven new signings were made, with nine players going the other way. Among the most notable newcomers are Robin Gosens, Maximilian Wöber, Satoshi Tanaka, Junior Adamu, Junior Dina Ebimbe, and Hee-chan Hwang, all of whom bring Bundesliga experience and additional quality to the squad. Furthermore, Schalke secured goalkeeper Kevin Müller permanently from 1. FC Heidenheim, while integrating several returnees as well as talents from their youth academy.  

Henning Matriciani and Christopher Antwi-Adjei left the club, while players like Luca Podlech, Felipe Sánchez, Peter Remmert, and Christian Gomis were loaned out to gain match experience. Moussa Ndiaye, Mauro Zalazar, and Ilyes Hamache are no longer part of the extended squad. Through this realignment, Schalke are focusing on a mix of experienced new signings, established key players from the promotion season, and young talents. The club's aim is to establish itself in the Bundesliga sustainably, and to continue the positive developments under Muslić.  

Union and Schalke have faced each other seven times in the past, in the Pokal as in the Bundesliga, most recently in the 2022/23 season. 

The record is relatively balanced. Four matches ended in a draw, Schalke 04 have won twice, and Union once (6-1 away in 2022). 

Robin Gosens and Loris Karius return to their old stomping grounds on Friday, with both under contract at Union Berlin in the past. Gosens played for Union in the 2023/24 season, while Karius was part of the 2020/21 squad. 

On the other side of the fence, Tim Skarke and Frederik Rönnow were both once under contract at Schalke. Skarke on loan in 2023, while Rönnow wore the royal blue jersey in the 2020/21 season before moving to Berlin. Marvin Friedrich also has a Schalke past, although the center-back will likely miss the match, he was a part of the Schalke academy from the U-17s and made his professional debut for S04 in September 2014. 

Mauro Lustrinelli will have to do without Oliver Burke, Andrej Ilić, Stanley Nsoki, and Marvin Friedrich on Friday evening.

“Schalke were compact and played aggressively and with a high work rate against Bayern," said Union head coach, Mauro Lustrinelli during his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. "We expect a somewhat different game at the Alte Försterei, but are aware of the qualities of our opponent and want to be prepared for all situations. It will be crucial to regain possession of the ball early, to put pressure on the ball carrier consistently, and to impose our style on the game. This is how we want to create the conditions to take the three points.” 

The Stadion An der Alten Försterei opens two hours before kick off, the match is sold out in both the home and away sections.       

While Hämmerlingstraße has reopened, the footpath to the stadium does not pass through the woodland, but along the sports hall.  

No parking options are available in the vicinity of the stadium.  

Due to a parallel event at the Parkbühne Wuhlheide, there may be increased traffic around the Stadion An der Alten Försterei during arrival and especially during departure. The S-Bahn line 3 will be particularly affected. To ensure a safe departure for visitors of both events, there may be partial closures of the S-Bahnhof Köpenick by the police after the match. The Rudolf-Rühl-Allee may also be affected by temporary closures.  

 BVG will increase the frequency of trams and also the bus X69 towards Elsterwerdaer Platz around the match. It is recommended to switch to these means of transport.