Marco Hoger scored the only goal of the game as Schalke 04 returned to Bundesliga action with a 1-0 victory over Hannover this afternoon.

It was a bright start to the match from Hannover, but they struggled to turn possession into chances, with Joselu looking isolated in attack for the visitors.

Schalke improved as the first half progressed, and the lead belonged to the hosts when Christian Fuchs found the space to pick out Hoger, who powered home his shot to finish off a clever move from Roberto Di Matteo's side.

Hannover's defence found it difficult to respond to the setback, and they looked vulnerable once again when Ron-Robert Zieler was forced to tip Jan Kirchoff's header to safety.

Fabian Giefer, making his first Bundesliga appearance in goal for Schalke, kept his side in front early in the second half with a fine save from Joselu's powerful strike.

Chances continued to be difficult to come by, but Schalke could have been comfortable in the closing stages had debutant Matija Nastasic's header not been kept out by Zieler.

Hannover desperately searched for a way back, with Jimmy Briand firing a decent effort just wide in an extended spell on top for the visitors.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar put the pressure on Schalke by lunging into a dangerous tackle on Manuel Schmiedebach late on, but the dismissal of the striker made no difference as the hosts held on for the win.