BERLIN: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted Schalke 04’s only real chance of the game as his lacklustre side scraped past Augsburg 1-0 on Friday to climb to seventh in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

It was the second win in three league games for coach Roberto Di Matteo, who took over from Jens Keller this month, but his team looked far from convincing ahead of the trip to Lisbon to face Sporting in the Champions League next week.

Schalke suffered an early blow when attacking midfielder Julian Draxler went off with a thigh injury after only four minutes at the Veltins Arena.

Japan international Atsuto Uchida, who on Thursday signed a three-year contract extension, set up the 37th-minute winner with a spectacular solo run.

After Augsburg lost the ball in Schalke’s half, Uchida picked it up and ran down the right flank before sending in a low cross that Huntelaar converted from close range to grab his fourth league goal of the season.

Schalke, who have 14 points from 10 games, failed to carve out any more scoring opportunities with Augsburg much the livelier team in the second half.

Uchida proved effective at both ends, halting a late attack by the visitors as they looked to equalise through Tobias Werner.

Substitute Tim Matavz almost equalised in stoppage time when he weaved his way past two Schalke defenders but fired wide as the visitors remained in 12th position on 12 points.

MONACO STALL AS REIMS GRAB LATE EQUALISER

MONACO: Substitute Benjamin Moukandjo scored the equaliser against his former club as Stade de Reims drew 1-1 with Monaco and halt the principality side’s rise up the Ligue 1 standings on Friday.

Leonardo Jardim’s side, who were looking for a third consecutive league victory, started well with Elderson Echiejile’s first-half opener but Moukandjo equalised nine minutes from time.

Monaco could have moved level on 20 points with third-placed Olympique Lyon but the draw left them in seventh place with 18 points from 12 games, seven points behind leaders Olympique Marseille who host RC Lens on Sunday.

Ahead of their trip to Benfica in the Champions League next week, Echiejile put Monaco ahead after 20 minutes when he fired home from Bernardo Silva’s cross.

Monaco pushed for a second goal but forward Anthony Martial missed two clear chances before the interval but Reims, who are 12th on 15 points, scored with their first shot on target when Moukandjo netted from close range following a swift counterattack.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd , 2014