In the Bundesliga, Borussia Mönchengladbach left points in the race for the European Cup places. At FC St. Pauli, BMG still conceded the equalization.
On Sunday, the two teams separated 1-1 (0: 1). Ko ItaKura put Gladbach in the lead (45th+2 minute). A change player Oladapo Afolayan (85th) achieved the deserved compensation for the home side. The Borussia (44 points) slips into sixth by the draw. St. Pauli remains in 15th place (26 points).
“It was a happy point”Gladbach’s coach Gerardo Seoane ordered the draw. “We didn’t manage to free ourselves. We cannot be satisfied. Even in the defensive phase, we were always one step too late.”
Ole Zeisler, Sportschau, April 6th, 2025 6:08 p.m.
Stormy start of St. Pauli
St. Pauli started researched, attacked Gladbach early and was careful not to let the guests develop. At times, the siege of the Borussia penalty area resembled the scenes of a handball game: St. Pauli played the ball back and forth in a semicircle, which wasted “foals”.
Daniel Sinani checked Gladbach goalkeeper Tiago Pereira Cardoso with a strong degree, the latter just fished the ball out (4th). And St. Pauli’s captain Jackson Irvine narrowly missed the lead after a corner kick (8th). After about 25 minutes, the statistics showed 59 percent possession and 6: 0 goal shots in favor of St. Paulis.
Hack and small service register Gladbach in the game
After that, Gladbach finally made the first degree: attacker Tim Kleindienst, back in the contingent after his yellow-red lock, was served by Franck Honorat-but the ball slipped over the crown (25th). Otherwise, BMG became dangerous by counterattack.
So Robin Hack ran over half the field and went down in the penalty area against David Nemeth and Eric Smith (16th). There was a contact, the referee Christian Dingert was too little for a penalty. The VAR did not incorporate – a difficult scene, although there is no clear wrong decision. Later, Hack decided on a counterattack for a lupfer from a great distance who was too short (28th).
Mats Nickelsen, Sportschau Bundesliga Highlights, 06.04.2025 5:28 p.m.
St. Pauli’s Saad awards great chance, Gladbach’s ItaKura hits head
Shortly afterwards, St. Pauli had the huge chance of leading the lead: a conclusion between Noah Weißhaupt was blocked by Nico Elvedi, but the ball slipped through Elias Saad in Flipper manner – it failed from a short distance from the outstandingly reacting Cardoso (31st). St. Pauli had overweight opportunities.
But then in added time in the first half Ko ItaKura turned the game upside down. A fee -deck ball landed perfectly on the forehead of the Japanese, goalkeeper Vasilj could only look after – 1-0 for the guests.
Afolayan hammer cracked Gladbach bulwark
The second half started like the first. St. Pauli started again. Manolis Saliakas pulled out of the half field, the unpleasant flatterball was able to parry Cardoso (47th). The only 18-year-old Gladbach goalkeeper was the focus several times, adjusted some dangerous crossings with his fists.
Gladbach also benefited from the fact that St. Pauli dealt with his own chances partly. Saad failed again on Cardoso (59.), then he headed over the goal free -standing (61.). Connor Metcalfe awarded another option, mashed from a short distance to the stands (84th).
The Borussia hardly took place at the front, limited itself to the defense and had to tremble. That revenge, because in the end one of the 26 Hamburg goal shots found his destination: Afolayan, in the 74th minute for Weißhaupt, had too much space in front of the penalty area. Its tight conclusion made it unsustainable for Cardoso.
St. Pauli’s players cheer the equalizer from Oladapo Afolayan (M.).
St. Pauli’s trainer Blessin celebrated the goal exuberantly: “Of course all the dams break there. We dominated the game for over 90 minutes and played so well, if we hadn’t rewarded ourselves, that would have been bit bitter.”
Ole Zeisler, Sportschau, April 6th, 2025 6:12 p.m.
After the game there was still bad news for Gladbach: A change player Nathan Ngoumou apparently suffered a serious injury during the speed runs.
St. Pauli in Kiel, Gladbach welcomes Freiburg
On the 29th matchday there is a basement duel for FC St. Pauli in the bottom of the table Holstein Kiel. Borussia Mönchengladbach welcomes SC Freiburg in the race around Europe. Both games take place on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).