I think there are two parallel arguments, and we need to distinguish between the general behaviour of the younger generation at away matches, and specifically what happened in Gelsenkirchen
Firstly, there’s a fine line where atmosphere morphs into rowdiness or nastiness, and regardless of age or generation gap, the line appears mistier, once you’ve supped or sniffed through the pre match period.
For example, prior to the first CL game, in Munich, I was stone cold sober and totally embarrassed by the general aggressive ambience. However, for the 3-2 victory, I was arguably the most drunken supporter in the stadium. I’m not a fighter, but I’m perfectly capable of being the drunk who thinks he’s funny.
In contrast, Schake was my 100th European fixture, and what I personally witnessed was disgusting bordering on criminal.
I was in a couple of pubs in the Schalke Buer region, and both were closed prematurely, after a number of aggressively drunk City fans refused to climb down from the tables. One of them stood next to me in the stadium, and his conduct was frighteningly manic.
Our Seats were in the S1 section (the first block outside the official away section, but 100% blues) and there was a near riot at Half Time, when a gang of City idiots (all of them in the 18-25 age group) attacked the match stewards, (who served as human segregation barriers)
The bloke in front was hit by a coin thrown from the upper tier of City fan, and to combat the beer throwers, I spent the last 20 minutes with my hood-up,
Just after Schalke’s first penalty, a full pint was thrown into the home end, (and to loud cheers) hit an unsuspecting Schalke fan.
I’ve been to Schalke 6 times, and I’m well aware that they have a small hooligan following. However, this was 100% drunken English mayhem.