FC St. Pauli

Following the 2-0 home defeat against Heidenheim, head coach Alexander Blessin opted to field the same starting line-up at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei. His opposite number Bo Svensson made three changes to his side that drew 1-1 away to Mainz 05: Tom Rothe, Yorbe Vertessen and Janik Haberer came in for Christopher Trimmel, Robin Gosens and Andras Schäfer.

The atmosphere at the Alten Försterei was brilliant and the external conditions played along so everything was set up for the first Bundesliga clash between the two clubs. Union often let the Boys in Brown have the ball early on but closed down the spaces on the halfway line and, as Blessin expected, again and again played long balls when in possession. The first chance for the hosts came when the Brown and Whites lost possession: Jordan's effort from 22 metres out flew wide of the target (6’). A volley from Yorbe Vertessen from a similar distance went just over the bar a few minutes later (10'). Then the first chance following a free kick from Eric Smith: The Berliners were unable to clear the ball, Johannes Eggestein hit a shot on the turn but Tom Rothe was able to make the block (14'). At the other end, Nikola Vasilj saved a header from Jordan (16').

There was great intensity to the game with both sides refusing to shirk a challenge. Our lads again and again played their way forward but chances on goal were not created. Union then had one following a misplaced pass by Jackson Irvine. Lucas Tousart received the ball from Jordan, set it up and then shot from 14 metres out. Vasilj pulled off the save (25'). Shortly after that, our keeper was on his toes as Rothe put the ball through for Benedict Hollerbach (27'). Tousart fired in a shot from 20 metres but Vasilj was able to punch the powerful shot away (32'). But he was helpless from the ensuing corner. The ball was cleared from the box and it fell to the unmarked Hollerbach and his shot was deflected into the net by Karol Mets – 1-0 for Union (34').

The second goal for the hosts almost followed straightaway with a slight defect in the pitch preventing Smith from receiving a pass from Hauke Wahl leaving Jordan in a one-on one with Vasilj. He stuck out his left leg to make a brilliant reflex save to prevent conceding the second goal (36'). Moments later, Smith signalled he was unable to carry on and he was replaced by Adam Dźwigała (39'). Little happened after that and our side went into half-time a goal down.

There were no changes for either side at half-time and Union were on the front foot from the start. First, Tousart headed a quickly taken corner over the bar (47'), then Diogo Leite curled the ball over the target from 22 metres out (51'). As at the end of the first half, our team was unable to find the right way to get forwards. That was due in part to the lack of pace and accuracy in passing but also down to the very well organised hosts. Blessin reacted: Elias Saad and Oladapo Afolayan came on for Robert Wagner and Morgan Guilavogui (61’).

From a diagonal ball from Philipp Treu, Saad cut in from the left and shot from 17 metres but a Union player was able to turn the ball away for a corner (66'). Connor Metcalfe found the head of Dźwigała – but the ball went wide of the far post (67'). Our team were more in the game and often found their way forwards to the opposition box. The ball came via Treu and Saad from the left into the penalty area to Lars Ritzka. His square ball unfortunately failed to find a teammate – that was a chance (69').

The final phase of the game saw Union better organised again and they were able to keep our team away from the penalty area. A corner almost brought an equaliser. Metcalfe again found Dźwigała and he tried to score with an overhead kick. His shot just missed the target as the ball went the wrong side of the left-hand post (79'). Blessin threw everything into attack as he sent on two strong headers of the ball in Carlo Boukhalfa and Andreas Albers with Lars Ritzka and Johannes Eggestein making way (87'). Afolayan had a good effort saved in added time by Frederik Rönnow (90+5') and the final whistle soon followed.

1. FC Union Berlin

Rönnow - Doekhi, Vogt, Diogo Leite - Vertessen (Bénes 67'), Khedira, Haberer, Tousart (Schäfer 67'), Rothe (Querfeld 89') - Jordan (Jeong 89'), Hollerbach (Skarke 78')

Head coach: Bo Svensson

FC St. Pauli

Vasilj - Wahl, Smith (Dźwigała 39'), Mets - Treu, Irvine, Metcalfe, Wagner (Saad 61'), Ritzka (Boukhalfa 83') - Eggestein (Albers 83'), Guilavogui (Afolayan 61')

FC St. Pauli

Vasilj - Wahl, Smith, Mets - Treu, Irvine, Metcalfe, Wagner, Ritzka - Eggestein, Guilavogui

Head coach: Alexander Blessin

Goal: 1-0 Hollerbach (34')

Referee: Bastian Dankert

Attendance: 22,012

Photos: FC St. Pauli / Witters