SC Freiburg, fresh from their European heroics, successfully carried their momentum into the Bundesliga, securing an away victory against FC St. Pauli and significantly deepening the latter’s relegation concerns.
Julian Schuster’s squad clinched a hard-fought 2-1 (0-1) win on Sunday evening against the «Brown-Whites» and are now discreetly setting their sights on international qualification spots.
Former St. Pauli player Igor Matanovic netted twice (65th, 78th minute) for the Breisgau side, who, following their high-flying Europa League quarter-final qualification (5-1 against Genk), also ended a three-game winless streak in the league. Despite an early lead through Danel Sinani (24th minute), Hamburg failed to climb out of the relegation zone and remain in significant peril.
Against the vibrant backdrop of the Spring Fair’s rotating Ferris wheel on Heiligengeistfeld, both teams engaged in a high-tempo contest. St. Pauli once again demonstrated their home strength in many phases. However, the visitors, led by club record scorer Vincenzo Grifo, put up strong resistance just three days after their heroic European performance.
For Grifo, this match in Hamburg was also special, marking his 300th Bundesliga appearance across Freiburg, Hoffenheim, and Mönchengladbach. Visibly motivated, the Italian spurred on SC Freiburg, who are also set to compete in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
Freiburg Gains Momentum Post-Halftime
St. Pauli, passionately welcomed by their fans with loud cheers and pyrotechnics even at the team bus, started the game stronger. Alexander Blessin’s side was tenacious in tackles and brave, though initially somewhat overly complex in their attacks towards Noah Atubolu’s goal. Nevertheless, the hosts maintained high energy, even after a dangerous shot from Grifo (19th minute), and deservedly scored the opening goal.
Freiburg grew more active before halftime and further intensified their play after the break. Matanovic created the first post-interval chance with a turn-and-shoot (52nd minute), followed by a missed shot from the lively Yuito Suzuki after a clever feint (56th minute). The home team, with Suzuki’s compatriot Joel Fujita serving as an industrious midfielder, resisted Freiburg’s pressure, constantly seeking opportunities to relieve pressure through their own advances.
However, the visitors’ individual quality shone through as Matanovic scored his first goal at the 65-minute mark. Despite Cyriaque Irié having a goal disallowed for offside in the 74th minute, Freiburg maintained their push, and Matanovic completed his brace in the 78th minute, sealing the victory.