(CNN) -- Bayer Leverkusen claimed third place in the German Bundesliga with a 1-0 victory over Schalke on Saturday night that left last season's runners-up deep in relegation trouble.
Second-half substitute Sidney Sam netted the only goal in the 65th minute as Felix Magath's star-studded team remained winless at home this season, disappointing a 61,000 crowd.
Despite fielding former Real Madrid strikers Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Schalke struggled to break down the visitors as the Dutchman twice headed against the woodwork.
The winning goal came on the counter-attack when the 22-year-old Sam raced clear to beat Germany's World Cup goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The defeat left Schalke second from bottom ahead of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv. Magath's team have been in good form in Europe, and the former World Cup winner will need that to continue if he is to keep his job.
Leverkusen, who host Greek side Aris Thessaloniki in the second-tier Europa League on Thursday, moved to within six points of German leaders Mainz -- who host second-placed Borussia Dortmund on Sunday in their 10th game of the campaign.
Eintracht Frankfurt had earlier briefly claimed third place with a 3-1 win at promoted St. Pauli, who had striker Gerald Asamoah sent off for a second booking three minutes after halftime.
Greece striker Theofanis Gekas moved to the top of the Bundesliga scoring charts as a goal in each half put the 30-year-old on nine this season.
Carlos Zambrano put St. Pauli ahead in the fifth minute, but the Peruvian defender fouled Gekas to allow the Frankfurt forward to equalize three minutes before halftime.
CNN
