The 2016-17 campaign delivered a season of inconsistent league form for Schalke as Die Knappen finished 10th in the Bundesliga, yet they mounted a thrilling run to the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. The mid-season arrival of striker Guido Burgstaller from the second division proved to be a masterstroke, as his 9 crucial league goals anchored the attack and instantly made him a fan favorite. It was a memorable year defined by dramatic European nights and the immediate, powerful impact of a true bargain signing.