The most intense derby in the world is undoubtedly the Ruhr Derby between Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund. Fights and insults between fans are just the tip of the icebergâwhat they truly enjoy is tearing each other's jerseys to shreds.
The story begins in 1925.
The two cities have long been economic rivals. Despite both being working-class communities, using shovels to settle disputes wasn't practicalâso football became their weapon of choice, and the pitch turned into the battlefield.
This tension spilled over into the matches. Fights weren't limited to the stands; players on the pitch frequently clashed.
Since the first derby in 1925, the Ruhr Derby has been played for 86 years, with this match marking the 139th clash between Dortmund and Schalke 04 at Dortmund's home ground.
Schalke 04 started the season in excellent form, particularly thanks to Huntelaar's rise, keeping them near the top of the table.
But the biggest delight for Schalke fans was seeing last season's Bundesliga champions, Dortmund, drop to eighth place after seven matches.
Schalke fans could hardly contain their joy, dreaming of titles and Huntelaar winning the golden boot.
However, everything changed with the arrival of one player.
Yes, the player now leading the goal-scoring charts.
What made it unbearable for Schalke 04 fans was that this player was from Dortmund.
Why?
Why does this annoying neighbor always disrupt Schalke's good times?
And why was it that a young player from China managed to shift the balance completely?
Schalke fans harbored deep resentment for Ye Chen.
Dortmund's season started poorly, but everything turned around after Ye Chen's arrival.
Now, after 13 rounds, Dortmund sits at the top with 28 pointsâlevel with Bayern but ahead on goal difference by two goals.
And of course, those crucial goals came from none other than Ye Chen.
His five-goal performance created the gap that separated the two teams.
Ye Chen's name became a constant source of pain for Schalke 04 fans.
But derbies aren't won on paper.
Passion and spirit matter just as much.
Like England's North West Derby, no matter the form, the matches are fiercely contested.
As the match approached, Dortmund felt the full intensity of the derby atmosphere.
Angry Schalke fans took to social media, posting videos of Ye Chen's jersey being burned.
Some resorted to offensive gestures and racial slurs.
This blatant discrimination spread quickly, as if burning Ye Chen's jersey was some kind of ritual.
Shinji Kagawa, being Asian, wasn't spared either. Fans tore his jersey apart and used old grievances against Japan to mock him.
Ilkay Gündogan, Felipe Santana, Mario Götzeâany Dortmund player was fair game. But Ye Chen and Kagawa bore the brunt of it, simply because they were Asian.
Asian players in Europe often face hostility, especially those from China.
Chinese players, known for their intelligence and hard work, are seen as competition by some.
But Dortmund fans retaliated just as fiercely.
After all, Atsuto Uchida was one of theirs.
Had Hao Junmin still been around, he would have faced the same abuse.
No one is innocent in a snowstorm.
Both sets of fans had their extremists, further fueling the flames of the Ruhr Derby.
As the match approached, the atmosphere grew even more intense.
Outside the training ground, Dortmund fans gathered with banners, making their voices heard.
Jürgen Klopp, during his first Ruhr Derby, was deeply moved by the passion surrounding the fixture.
Inside Dortmund's training camp, the players were unusually quiet and focused.
The loss to Arsenal was already forgotten.
Losing in the Champions League was acceptable, but not the Ruhr Derby.
Yet Klopp faced a major headache.
Having played Arsenal on the 23rd, Dortmund only returned on the morning of the 24th. By the afternoon of the 26th, they faced Schalke 04.
There was no time to rest.
Klopp's request to delay the match was denied.
Dortmund's players gave everything against Arsenal, leaving key figures like Kagawa too exhausted to start. Sven Bender had been injured, and Gündogan was struggling with fitness.
Götze's fitness was also questionable, pending medical reports. Dortmund's squad was stretched to its limits.
Klopp knew a tactical reshuffle was neededâbut that came with risks.
Ye Chen's recent stint on the left wing was still fresh in his memory, but Klopp couldn't afford to experiment.
Defense posed the biggest concern.
Hummels, Schmelzer, Piszczek, and Santana all played the full 90 minutes in the previous match, and Dortmund lacked viable substitutes.
There was simply no room for rotation.
This was Dortmund's biggest problemâthe squad wasn't deep enough to compete on multiple fronts.
Champions League matches were far more intense than domestic games.
Players pushed harder, hoping to catch the attention of bigger clubs.
Meanwhile, Schalke 04's situation couldn't have been more different.
Their previous match was on the 19th, giving them a full week's rest.
They were ready.
Moreover, Schalke 04's quality wasn't lacking. They sat fourth in the table, just one point behind third-placed Gladbach.
As a result, media and pundits favored Schalke 04.
Many believed Schalke would leave Westfalenstadion with three points.
Some fans even revived a chant from years past: "Pull Dortmund down from the top!"
This echoed memories of the 06-07 season.
Back then, Stuttgart and Schalke were locked in a title race. Schalke needed to beat Dortmund to keep their hopes alive.
But Dortmund won 2-0, crushing Schalke's dream.
Dortmund fans even rented a plane to fly a banner reading: "You'll never win the title!"
With such history, the rivalry remains fierce.
This is why the Ruhr Derby needs no motivational speeches.
Everything and everyone around you reminds youâ
This is the Ruhr Derby.
A battle where only one side can survive.