All the excitement in this match happened in the first half, with the hosts taking the lead in the 13th minute through a goal by Curda. Then, in the 26th minute, Marino doubled the lead, and it seemed like Paderborn was heading toward victory.
However, Miron Muslić's side managed to equalize before halftime. First, Ljubičić reduced the deficit, and then Aouchiche scored to make it 2-2.
In the second half, play was mostly confined to the midfield, with Paderborn having more serious chances.
Nevertheless, Schalke turned the game around seven minutes before the end with another goal from the in-form Ljubičić. That goal sealed the final 3-2 victory.
The visiting team was without Bosnian internationals Edin Džeko (shoulder injury) and Nikola Katić (knee injury).
Schalke sits at the top of the 2. Bundesliga table, six points ahead of second-placed Paderborn. More importantly, with three rounds left, they are seven points clear of third-placed Hannover, making it highly unlikely they won't secure promotion to the Bundesliga. In the next round, Schalke hosts Fortuna Düsseldorf, while Paderborn visits Elversberg.
Result and scorers: Paderborn - Schalke 2:3 (Curda 13', Marino 26' - Ljubičić 35', 83', Aouchiche 40')