FC St. Pauli

Head coach Timo Schultz: "It was a high-intensity game in which we played an active role – both on and off the ball. That’s what we set to do because we knew Kiel are a quality side when they have the ball. Omar had the chance to put it almost beyond doubt with an outstanding piece of play but unfortunately hit it straight at the keeper. All in all, we had 20 attempts on goal to their 13. It was a team performance that augurs well for the future. I’m very pleased with the lads even though we’d have liked to have won it. Dejan and Omar showed they can help us right away. Dejan oozed assurance and made two or three good saves. I don’t need to say much about Omar, he’s an extremely agile player who is superb in attacking one-on-ones and has a good finish. I’d have had no objections if he’d rewarded himself with a second goal."

Daniel Buballa: "We go out aiming to keep a clean sheet every week. We want to defend well, so it hurts all the more as a defender when you concede. All in all, we defended well today, it has to be said. We operated as a team and attacked the ball with everything we had. We have to reproduce this performance every week. If we do, I’m optimistic for the next few games. We need the energy and the team spirit we showed today, and it has to be our aim to show that every week. The new lads settled in really well and showed what they can do straightaway. Omar brought his quality to the pitch and helped the team today. He was assured on the ball, dribbled with aggression and scored a magnificent goal. It’s a bit frustrating that he didn’t make it 2-0. It wasn’t down to one player today, it was a team performance. We have to build on it and take some points from the next few games."

Philipp Ziereis: "I don’t think you could tell it was the next-to-bottom team playing today. We played really well, especially in the first half, but also in the second half when we ran out of steam a little bit. We gave a really good performance against a very good team and deserved to take a point. And we’d have taken all three points if we’d scored the second. We have to build on the performance and play like this week for week, then I'm sure the three points will follow. Compliments to the new lads and to Burgi, who came back in after a long absence. It was if he’d never been away."

Ole Werner (Holstein Kiel): "It was a very hard-fought game on a heavy pitch. St. Pauli made the better start, but we had a spell midway through the first half where we did very well and had some good chances. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take them. We should have taken the lead with one of those chances, and it might have been a different game then. We could have steered the game in a more positive direction. As it was, it was evenly balanced. In the second half, it was the other way around, we made the better start. St. Pauli scored an amazing goal in a phase where we were playing well. We responded well to the setback and got the equaliser after Ioannis Gelios had kept us in the game. Given the way the game went, we can live with the result today against a very good St. Pauli side."

Photos: Witters