Tranquillo Barnetta's first-half goal earned Schalke 04 a slender 1-0 home win over Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga this evening.
The victory at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen has ensured that Roberto Di Matteo's men now have temporary hold of third spot in the league standings.
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Following a delayed start the home side took the lead after only 11 minutes, as Barnetta adroitly finished at the front post from a Kevin-Prince Boateng cross to claim a goal on his 250th Bundesliga appearance.
In a rather lifeless opening the next chance didn't fall until the 34th minute, and it came for Borussia when Roel Brouwers played a neat through-ball into the path of Raffael, who could only fire tamely over the bar.
Schalke passed up a great opportunity to go further in front on the stroke of half time, as Joel Matip broke free in the box before heading wildly off target with just the keeper to beat.
Gladbach had another chance to draw parity after the break through substitute Ibrahima Traore, but he was denied by some last-ditch defending in the Schalke box.
Barnetta almost carved out a chance to ensure that the final 15 minutes were a little less stressful, only to drift a header over the bar from the centre of the area, leaving his side to defend stoutly for the remainder in order to see out all three points.
Christopher Dodd
