FC St. Pauli is teetering towards relegation from the Bundesliga. After another sad performance, the “Kiezkicker” didn’t get any points in a 1:2 (0:2) draw against 1. FSV Mainz 05. The 05ers, on the other hand, celebrated their final relegation.
The strong center forward Phillip Tietz (6th minute) and defender Phillipp Mwene (40th) scored Mainz’s goals. Hamburg substitute Abdoulie Ceesay’s goal to make it 1-2 came too late (87′). The Rheinhessen have thus secured relegation – in tenth place. Quite different for St. Pauli, who are still in relegation place after another low blow, but have to fear that, in addition to VfL Wolfsburg, 1. FC Heidenheim will also overtake them coming from behind.
The attack – St. Pauli’s problem area
The starting position for both teams could hardly have been more different in the Millerntor Stadium, which was completely sold out with almost 30,000 fans. While Mainz was able to play easily after the last few successful weeks, Hamburg are deep in the relegation battle. The big problem for FC St. Pauli: The team is far too harmless offensively. The “Kiezkicker” scored just 26 goals in 31 games. In four of the last seven league games, the “Boys in Brown” remained goalless.
Construction errors put St. Pauli behind against Mainz
It was all the more astonishing that the Hamburg team started like the fire department and was able to cause a lot of excitement in front of the Mainz box after just three minutes. Two corner kicks in a row caused chaos in front of keeper Daniel Batz’s goal. A goal was in the air, but it didn’t happen. At least not in the Mainz box.
The goal came on the other side: St. Pauli’s defense tried to build up from behind, but that went wrong. Sixer Eric Smith couldn’t deal with Hauke Wahl’s far too risky pass, Kaishu Sano intervened and the ball landed at Tietz, who was waiting completely blank in front of the box, who had no trouble scoring from 16 meters to make it 0-1 (6th).
St. Pauli – the problem with harmlessness
St. Pauli had basically put themselves behind – it was a tremendous blow. In moments like this you ask yourself why teams like St. Pauli take this enormous risk of trying to build up their game despite the pressure from behind from behind. Now the “Kiezkicker” were behind early – and Mainz immediately holed up at the back to let the Hamburgers come.
And that’s exactly what St. Pauli has had enormous problems with – breaking down a tight defense with ease – all season long. This time too. The Mainz team had no difficulty at all in blocking the opponent’s dangerous area. The closer St. Pauli got to the Mainz penalty area, the more speed was lost – the fans saw boring ball movement in front of the away team’s 16-yard box.
Mainz – simple and straightforward
Mainz showed how easy it is to score in the 40th minute of the game. Tietz took a strong hold on a long ball and placed the ball on the right to Silvan Widmer, who was free to pass it back to the rushing Mwene. And he casually pushed the ball over the line to make it 0-2. St. Pauli was played out – but really.
The Mainz players celebrate their lead against St. Pauli
But had Hamburg already played out? If there was another defeat, there would definitely be nothing more than a relegation place, and in that case VfL Wolfsburg would also be in danger of overtaking Hamburg from behind.
St. Pauli changes, Mainz dominates
St. Pauli had to do something. Coach Alexander Blessin brought in two new people with Connor Metcalfe and Adam Dzwigala – but also new momentum? First of all, Mainz had a 3-0 lead. Or better said: Nadiem Amiri had it at her feet. On the left side he had played his way through to the Hamburg goal – only Vasilj, who shortened the angle, prevented the ball from hitting again (48′).
Two minutes later, St. Pauli’s defense was outplayed again. Sheraldo Becker was completely blank for the header after Amiri and Mwene had prepared exemplary – once again Vasilj had to iron out the chain of mistakes made by his front men.
Millerntor is hungry for action
Metcalfe’s finish in the 64th minute illustrated how humble the fans at Millerntor have become. The substitute shot from a good 23 meters. Far beyond the Mainz box – but the Hamburg fans cheered almost euphorically. They had at least seen their team finish on goal.
On the other hand, everything was much clearer: After a Widmer cross from the right, Mwene volleyed in the center – and only Dzwigala’s rescue operation on the line prevented the score from 0:3.
Suddenly there is still hope
The audience remained patient – but at some point the nerves in the stands were also strained. When substitute Martijn Kaars wasted a promising opportunity to score in the 75th minute, shrill whistles suddenly rang through the arena. Somehow people had had enough of St. Pauli’s amateurism.
And then suddenly the mood arose again. After a long ball to the top, Ceesay was suddenly completely free on the right and poked the ball over the line through the legs of keeper Batz to make it 1-2 (88th). The Hamburgers, who suddenly had hope again, had five minutes of injury time left – but Joel Fujita’s long-range shot was the only chance worth mentioning. And the 05 keeper Batz thwarted.
St. Pauli in Leipzig, Mainz against Union
The upcoming program for both teams: St. Pauli will be guests at RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). Mainz welcomes Union Berlin on Sunday evening (7:30 p.m.).
