On Sunday evening, there was a special VIP area in the Hamburg quarter of St. Pauli – at least, a temporary one. As the Hamburger Dom fair began on Friday, visitors who chose to ride ‘Evolution’ – a rotating pendulum ride that climbs to a dizzying height – could get a brief glimpse of the Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli and SC Freiburg from a bird’s-eye perspective.

They and the 29,546 spectators at a sold-out Millerntor-Stadion watched SC create the first opportunity of the game in the third minute. Yuito played the ball through to Niklas Beste, who shifted it onto his stronger left foot and curled an effort just inches wide of goal. At the other end, Eric Smith helped a corner kick on its way to Mathias Rasmussen, who shot on the turn but could not generate enough power to trouble Noah Atubolu.

The Freiburg coaching staff put their faith in the same starting eleven who emphatically defeated KRC Genk 5-1 on Thursday. “We thought long and hard about how we would line up today. We decided on this team so that, when we need to react, we can do so with fresh legs,” explained Julian Schuster after the game.

The hosts let fly from distance a number of times in the first half, but strikes from Joel Fujita (18’) and Rasmussen (22’) were both easy enough for Atubolu to keep out. Vincenzo Grifo’s effort from around 15 yards was more dangerous, but Nikola Vasilj clawed the ball away.

St. Pauli net from a corner

During the first half, St. Pauli showed why they are a force to be reckoned with at home. Unusually for a team who are fighting relegation, Alexander Blessin’s side were very attack-minded and not at all cautious. They were rewarded for this approach in the 24th minute. Jordy Makengo was able to clear a dangerous low cross at the crucial moment, but the resulting corner led to the opener for the Kiezkicker. The delivery from the right found Tomoya Ando, who headed it on to Danel Sinani. The hosts’ central striker could not get the right contact on the ball initially, but prodded it over the line at the second attempt.

SCF needed a moment to catch their bearings after falling behind. In the 39th minute, Johan Manzambi headed wide after a cross from Ginter. Six minutes later, Manzambi returned the favour by setting up Ginter with a cross. Vasilj made the save with his feet, and nether Yuito nor Bruno Ogbus could force the ball over the line. It remained 1-0 to St. Pauli at the break.

Renewed energy in the second half

Philipp Lienhart and Cyriaque Irié replaced Bruno Ogbus and Niklas Beste at half time. SC came out for the second period with much more urgency. Yuito (55’) and, on two occasions, Igor Matanovic (48’, 52’) came close to equalising early in the half. In the 65th minute, the relief finally came for the travelling fans in the sold-out away end. Matanovic deflected a shot from Vincenzo Grifo off his thigh and past the dive of Vasilj to make it 1-1.

It looked to have become even better in the 74th minute – but only briefly. After a free kick from the recently introduced Derry Scherhant, Irié netted what would have been his first strike in Freiburg colours, but referee Florian Badstübner disallowed the goal for offside after a long VAR delay. Unfazed by this, Irié tried his luck again four minutes later after cutting inside from the right. The St. Pauli goalkeeper, who otherwise had a good game, spilled the shot, allowing Matanovic to pounce and give SCF the lead (78’).

The home side repeatedly pushed forward, while SC looked to counterattack. In the 87th minute, Johan Manzambi had a chance to wrap up the win after a brilliant pass from Lucas Höler, but his effort was met with a last-ditch block. Scherhant did manage to find the net in injury time when he chipped Vasilj after finding himself through on goal, but it was again chalked off, this time immediately. Everyone of a Freiburg persuasion had to nervously wait until the clock ticked over 100 minutes before they could celebrate an important three points on the road. “St. Pauli deservedly took the lead,” said Julian Schuster at his post-match press conference. “We were able to up the pressure after making changes at half time. This fightback shows the attitude of the lads. We’re very, very happy with their attitude.”

SC remain eighth in the table, but are now just a point behind Eintracht Frankfurt. After the international break, Freiburg will welcome FC Bayern München to the Europa-Park Stadion.

Photo: Fabian Bimmer