FC St. Pauli narrowly beat 1. FC Kaiserslautern in an intense game in the 2nd Bundesliga on Sunday (02/12/2023). Connor Metcalfe’s decisive goal to make it 1-0 (0-0) came late in the second round.
Hamburg celebrated the third win in a row under coach Fabian Hürzeler. For the guests, the defeat meant the end of a winning streak of five games.
Kaiserslautern defensively safe
In an uneventful first round, the Hamburgers had more possession, but were hardly able to create chances. The guests, on the other hand, were defensively secure, but lacked precision in the passing game with the few counterattack opportunities and were therefore not a goal threat either.
St. Pauli turns up the heat in the second round
At the beginning of the second period, the hosts caused the first real excitement near the goal. Leart Paqarada plucked up courage from 30 meters and pulled away. Kaiserslautern’s Kevin Kraus deflected and the ball just missed the left post.
The scene was the prelude to a good phase for Hamburg. The combination game became more fluid and the attacks more purposeful. The result was the lead goal: EricSmith overcame the defense chain of the guests no look-Passport, Metcalfe shot safely into the far corner from ten meters (72nd minute).
Kaiserslautern, who also largely disappointed in the second half, ran the hosts higher and came up with more action in the opposing half. Lex-Tyger Lobinger missed the best chance to equalize, but his shot was blocked (87th).
St. Pauli visiting Magdeburg
On the 21st match day, FC St. Pauli is challenged away in Magdeburg (Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 1 p.m.). Kaiserslautern plays SC Paderborn the day before (6:30 p.m.).