Overview
- Pöpperl, promoted from Schalke's U23 squad, started his first 2. Bundesliga match away at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
- Schalke won 2–0 in Düsseldorf as the debutant featured from the opening whistle.
- Coach Miron Muslic linked the selection to injuries affecting Ralf Schallenberg and Jonas Grüger and provided updates on their conditions.
- Pöpperl's Regionalliga coach and U23 teammates closely followed his appearance and shared their reactions.
- Match photography captured Pöpperl in direct duels with Fortuna's Anouar El Azzouzi.