Schalke 04 captain Ronny Becker caused a stir ahead of the derby against Borussia Dortmund with a humorous comment. The defender called the coin toss before the match 'antisocial', drawing laughter. The derby takes place against the backdrop of a strong Bundesliga start for Dortmund, who sit third in the standings with six points from two games.
Becker conducted the coin-toss ceremony before the clash of the arch-rivals. 'That's antisocial,' the Schalke captain said with a grin after tossing the coin, according to Tuesday's report. The unusual choice of words in a typically formal situation brought laughter from those present and lightened the tense pre-derby atmosphere. For Borussia Dortmund, the anecdote was an amusing footnote ahead of a key match.
The team under coach Nuri Şahin enters the encounter with a perfect start to the season. Two wins from two games have brought six points and third place in the Bundesliga. A record of five goals scored and two conceded highlights a strong attack coupled with a stable defense. The current form of two consecutive wins gives the team momentum. However, the squad must cope with several absences listed on the injuries page. Filippo Mané, Giannis Konstantelias, Justin Lerma, and Nico Schlotterbeck are currently unavailable.
The humorous incident shows that despite the intense rivalry between Schalke and Dortmund, there is still room for levity. Becker's spontaneous remark was received not as a provocation but as a relaxing gesture. Such moments humanize the often harsh world of professional sports and remind everyone that it is, a game. For fans of both sides, the story provides entertaining talking points away from the sporting result. The actual confrontation on the pitch, of course, remains unaffected.
Immediately after the duel with their arch-rival, the next competitive match awaits. On September 12, Borussia Dortmund hosts SC Paderborn 07 at Signal Iduna Park. Paderborn currently sits in twelfth place. This home game is a chance to continue the positive run and gather more points in the fight for the top. The complete schedule for the season can be found on our fixtures page. The current squad composition is viewable under squad.
Preparations for the derby are in full swing despite the injury-related absences. The remaining players must fill the gaps and implement the tactical instructions from Coach Şahin. Winning the first two games of the season has boosted the team's confidence. With six points from two matches, Borussia Dortmund has started the season optimally. The next objective is clear: to confirm the positive record in the Revierderby. The home game against SC Paderborn 07 on September 12 is the next fixture after the derby.
