Even in the second game after returning to the Bundesliga, FC St. Pauli remained without a goal or a point. Opponent Union Berlin did not have enough to win. Benedict Hollerbach (34th) secured the first league win under new coach Bo Svensson on Friday evening (30.08.2024).
Union has four points after the 1:1 draw at 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the opening match. For St. Pauli, however, it is already clear after two games that the fight to avoid relegation will be a tough one for the Hamburg team. The Kiez kickers have not yet arrived in the Bundesliga, especially in terms of offense. In Berlin, coach Alexander Blessin’s team only had one shot on goal.
Svensson: “That was great!”
“It was great how we were received here,” said Berlin’s new coach Bo Svensson after his home debut in Köpenick, “the atmosphere was unbelievable. It was unique.” The Dane said of his team’s performance: “Unfortunately we didn’t start the game like the fans. That’s why it was tough. Overall we are very happy with the win.” St. Pauli colleague Blessin praised his team despite the defeat: “In general we played a good game. When we scored we had a bad line-up in the backcourt. Now we’ve paid the price again – that’s a shame.”
Overall, the deeper-set Berlin team had little trouble keeping the visitors away from the goal. And Union was more effective going forward. The Berlin team showed greater maturity, especially in set pieces and transition situations. However, it only became really dangerous after just under half an hour, when Yorbe Vertessen tested St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj with a 22-meter shot.
Dennis Wiese, Sportschau, 30.08.2024 23:18
Hollerbach scores with a deflected shot
And a little later, the home fans at the “Alte Försterei” were able to celebrate. Hollerbach took a blocked ball directly at the edge of the penalty area. St. Pauli’s Karol Mets deflected the trajectory and it was 1-0 for Union. “There was not much going on in front of the goal. But then with the first shot on goal – that’s great of course, you’re happy then,” said Hollerbach after the game to Sportschau. Jordan Siebatcheu (36th) even had the chance to make it 2-0, but his shot didn’t get through.
Dennis Wiese, Sportschau, 30.08.2024 23:05
The Berliners then continued to play compactly and steadily – and St. Pauli simply lacked the means to turn their actually larger share of possession (59 percent in the end) into something dangerous or even worth counting. A weak shot from Johannes Eggestein (24th) into the arms of Frederik Rönnow was the only thing in the first half that deserved the term goal shot for St. Pauli, at least by definition.
Dzwigata spectacular – but unsuccessful
Union Berlin also controlled the match for long stretches in the second half, but did not really set the tone offensively. After a few substitutions and with more courage to take risks, the Hamburg guests only came a little closer to scoring in the final quarter of an hour. The best – and most spectacular – chance fell to substitute Adam Dzwigata (77′), who narrowly missed the goal with an overhead kick following a corner. In stoppage time, Oladapo Afolayan (90’+4′) finally had the guests’ second shot on goal, but even then goalkeeper Rönnow did not have to give his all to save the ball.
Dennis Wiese, Sportschau, 30.08.2024 23:08
There was no more to it. Union played the game solidly in defense overall, and so after St. Pauli’s second Bundesliga game the only conclusion that remained was: defensively OK, offensively not enough. For Union, at least in numerical terms, the only loss on this match day was that Robin Gosens left the club for AC Florence in Italy – but in terms of sport, things are looking good at the “Alte Försterei”.
Union has to go to Leipzig, St. Pauli to Augsburg
After the international break, Union has to travel to Leipzig on the next matchday (Saturday, September 14, 2024, 3:30 p.m.), while St. Pauli will play away again in Augsburg one day later (3:30 p.m.).
