St. Pauli practically saved, Frankfurt fears Champions League qualification
After a draw in Frankfurt, FC St. Pauli's survival is only theoretical. Eintracht Frankfurt is worried about relegation.
Hamburg's festive season in professional football: One day after Hamburger SV's promotion, city rivals FC St. Pauli secured what was arguably the decisive point in their Bundesliga relegation battle. In the 2-2 (1-2) draw between Frankfurt and St. Pauli, Rasmus Kristensen (1st minute) and Michy Batshuayi (71st minute) scored the Eintracht goals, while Manolis Saliakas (4th minute) and Morgan Guilavogui (16th minute) scored for the visitors.
Heading into the final matchday, St. Pauli, in 14th place, is only three points clear of the relegation play-off spot, but has a goal difference 13 goals better than 1. FC Heidenheim, who are in the same position. "That's a really good cushion," said a delighted coach Alexander Blessin, but also warned: "We want to put in another good performance at the end and seal the deal."
Frankfurt missed out on early qualification for the Champions League, which requires a top-four finish. While a draw against SC Freiburg (4th, 55 points) on the final matchday is enough for Eintracht Frankfurt (3rd place, 57 points), a defeat could see them overtake Borussia Dortmund (5th, 54 points), as well as Freiburg.
"Of course, we would have liked to take that final step today," said Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller after the match: "Now we're going to Freiburg and have to take the next step there."
Eintracht's super startThe match began spectacularly with two quick goals. After just 24 seconds, Kristensen scored from close range to give Frankfurt the lead. This was preceded by a beautiful counterattack involving Hugo Ekitiké and Hugo Larsson.
St. Pauli needed only three minutes to respond – and it was a spectacular one. Saliakas curled the ball from the right with the inside of his right foot over goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and into the far corner.
St. Pauli's goalkeeper Voll with a strong assistGoalkeeper Ben Voll, who replaced suspended first-choice goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, played a key role in the visitors' second goal. Voll set up the goal with a precise low clearance. Guilavogui collected the ball and scored on the rebound.
In a balanced, fast-paced game, Batshuayi, who came on as a substitute at halftime, equalized. After Larsson won the ball and received a fine pass from Fares Chaibi, Batshuayi quickly fired into the right corner.
In the closing stages of this interesting match, with chances on both sides, Frankfurt came on the attack. Another goal would have been enough to secure qualification for the Champions League. Batshuayi even scored a second time, but he had handballed the ball to himself.
Frankfurt in Freiburg, St. Pauli against BochumWhile Frankfurt now faces an important clash in Freiburg on matchday 34, St. Pauli can dispel any remaining doubts at home against relegated Bochum (both on Saturday, May 17, 3:30 p.m.).
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