The 2011-12 campaign delivered a brilliant return to form for Schalke as Die Knappen secured a strong 3rd-place finish in the Bundesliga, ensuring a direct return to the Champions League group stage. Spearheading the charge was the clinical Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, whose phenomenal 29 league goals earned him the coveted Bundesliga Golden Boot and a club record 48 goals across all competitions. The season, which also saw Schalke win the DFL-Supercup and enjoy an exhilarating run to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, was built on attacking brilliance from the likes of Huntelaar and the legendary Raúl and remains a defining chapter of their modern history.