FC Schalke 04 remain on course for a Champions League spot. They beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 on Friday night and are third in the table, until at least Sunday. The winner was scored by Tranquillo Barnetta after 10 minutes.
Gladbach went into the game having won two matches in a row 1-0 but found life hard against a compact Schalke defence. Barnetta capped off his 250th Bundesliga game by scoring his 29th goal in the competition.
Roberto Di Matteo was without nine players for the game: Seven are dealing with long term injuries, Huntelaar is suspended and Sidney Sam has a muscular problem. 19-year-old Timon Wellenreuther made his full Bundesliga debut for the club, having replaced Fabian Giefer at half time during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Bayern München in the Allianz Arena.
Borussia’s Lucien Favre was without Martin Stranzl and André Hahn for the game. He made five changes to his starting line-up. World Cup winner Christoph Kramer was one of the players who watched on from the bench.
Early goal sees win for Schalke
The early goal came from the first chance of the game. Jan Kirchhoff played the ball to Boateng. His delightful cross was volleyed home by Barnetta from close range. The early lead played into Schalke’s hands as their back five, expertly marshalled by Kirchhoff, remained compact and made it difficult for Borussia to find a way through.
Wellenreuther was barely tested throughout the course of the game. His only real save of note came in the 65th minute when he kept out Ibrahima Traoré’s volley.
FC Schalke 04 remain on course for a Champions League spot. They beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 on Friday night and are third in the table, until at least Sunday. The winner was scored by Tranquillo Barnetta after 10 minutes.
Gladbach went into the game having won two matches in a row 1-0 but found life hard against a compact Schalke defence. Barnetta capped off his 250th Bundesliga game by scoring his 29th goal in the competition.
Roberto Di Matteo was without nine players for the game: Seven are dealing with long term injuries, Huntelaar is suspended and Sidney Sam has a muscular problem. 19-year-old Timon Wellenreuther made his full Bundesliga debut for the club, having replaced Fabian Giefer at half time during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Bayern München in the Allianz Arena.
Borussia’s Lucien Favre was without Martin Stranzl and André Hahn for the game. He made five changes to his starting line-up. World Cup winner Christoph Kramer was one of the players who watched on from the bench.
Early goal sees win for Schalke
The early goal came from the first chance of the game. Jan Kirchhoff played the ball to Boateng. His delightful cross was volleyed home by Barnetta from close range. The early lead played into Schalke’s hands as their back five, expertly marshalled by Kirchhoff, remained compact and made it difficult for Borussia to find a way through.
Wellenreuther was barely tested throughout the course of the game. His only real save of note came in the 65th minute when he kept out Ibrahima Traoré’s volley.
