Klaas Jan Huntelaar had to contend with a place on the bench following a virus, whilst highly rated Ralf Fahrmann made his fiftieth Bundesliga appearance for the club. Mönchengladbach were able to welcome back Martin Stranzl to the heart of defence following three games out with injury, though skipper Filip Daems missed out so Julian Korb occupied the left back position. Granit Xhaka was sent off after last week's 4-2 lost to SC Freiburg so Christoph Kramer returned to the team.
The game began cagily with both sides struggling to break open each others defence, Tim Hoogland being the first to test Marc Andre ter Stegen from a corner, being comfortably dealt with, before Favre's team caught Schalke on the counter. Julian Korb's cross almost being converted by Patrick Herrmann's outstretched leg, but Fahrmann's leg stopped only a fourth goal being conceded by the 25 year old in 2014 in the Bundesliga at the Veltins Arena.
Kevin Prince Boateng then aimed to end his goal drought, hitting the ball into the ground and forcing ter Stegen into a splendid save, backtracking as he tipped it over the bar. Die Fohlen's defence was resolute and held well against any attacks on their goal, restricting their opponents to long range efforts. Julian Draxler forced a smart save before Boateng tried his luck from distance, again not proving enough to brea the deadlock.
Joel Matip then stupidly passed the ball to Christoph Kramer inside his own box in an attempt to prevent a corner, Fahrmann dramatically pushing the ball away, and his side were unable to clear. Max Kruse combined well with Raffael before the latter's pass was met first time by Patrick Herrmann, the German winger's shot curling past the left hand post and giving 'Gladbach a slender lead. The visitors game was pumped with energy and looked dangerous and vibrant going forward, the half time whistle sounding with the Foals being on top.
Herrmann almost added a second as the second half began from Kruse's cross field ball, only a terrific last ditch tackle from Sead Kolasinac stopping the lead being extended. Lucien Favre's "Mr. Consistent" Tony Jantschke was again to thank as a rare chance for Adam Szalai fell (starting his first game since a goalless draw with Nuremberg in December), the ball bouncing around inside the box after Prince Boateng had been booted in the chin by Stranzl and Jantschke sliding in to prevent the Hungarian firing home.
Joel Matip then missed a great chance for the home side. Draxler's corner missed Szalai and the centre back was simply not ready for the chance, the ball coming off the defender and trickling wide. Ter Stegen did well to keep out Kolasinac after intricate build up play from Max Meyer and Draxler, before half chances for Mönchengladbach eased the strain on their own goal. Arango and Kruse had strikes saved well by Fahrmann, before the travelling support were certain Kruse was going to score his twelth goal of the season as he latched on to an exquisite through ball from Alvaro Dominguez and then rounded the goalkeeper, but couldn't score with defenders gaining on him and at a tight angle.
Kaan Ayhan had Jens Keller worried after the inexperienced eighteen year old twice making mistakes within thirty seconds. Herrmann doing well to locate Arango on the right hand side (with the two wingers constantly exchanging wings in a tactic that made Schalke struggle to contain the two), but the thirty-four year old just didn't get his foot around the shot properly and Fahrmann was there to shield yet again.
With minutes to play, Huntelaar arrived onto the pitch for Hoogland and did well to cut into the 'Gladbach box and set up Szalai, but the summer signing from Mainz missed his big opportunity, shooting harmlessly wide of the post. Well past the set added time, Lucien Favre was infuriated with the referee as a hopeful long ball was met by Draxler. Unfortunately for Keller and the rumuored Arsenal target, he miscued his shot before being injured in a collision with Stranzl as the full time whistle blew.
Borussia Mönchengladbach manager Lucien Favre said of the win: "We controlled the game but we didn't have enough possession in the second half", while match winner Patrick Herrmann was delighted with the victory. "It was a really important win today, especially with Augsburg beating Hamburg earlier."
Klaas Jan Huntelaar summed the game up glumly in six short words: "We didn't deserve to win today."
The result leaves Schalke looking nervously over their shoulder, with Leverkusen three points behind and Wolfsburg four points behind. The result increases Gladbach's chances of playing amongst Europe's elite next season in the Champions League, although they have a lot of work to do, as well as hoping for some luck with their rivals results along the way.