bundesliga

St. Pauli end home goal drought in convincing win over Holstein Kiel

29.11.2024

St. Pauli scored their first home goals of the season en route to their first victory at Millerntor Stadium in 2024/25 in a 3-1 victory over Holstein Kiel.

St. Pauli 3-1 Holstein Kiel
Goals: 1-0 Saliakas 25' (assist: Eggestein), 2-0 Guilavogui 56' (assist: Eggestein), 3-0 Eggestein 85 (assist: Treu), 3-1 Harres 90'+1 (assist: Pichler)

The Millerntor Stadium was buzzing with anticipation as St. Pauli welcomed Holstein Kiel for a crucial Matchday 12 opener. Both teams entered the match seeking to improve their positions in the table, with St. Pauli particularly eager to break their home goal drought and climb out of the relegation zone.

St. Pauli players celebrate their long-awaited home goal, setting the tone for a memorable victory against Holstein Kiel. - Stuart Franklin

Saliakas breaks the deadlock

The match began with Holstein Kiel showing early intent, as Nicolai Remberg fired a shot just wide of the post within seconds of kick-off. However, it was St. Pauli who gradually took control of the game. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Manolis Saliakas unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area, finding the bottom corner via the post. The Millerntor erupted as St. Pauli finally broke their home goal drought, igniting hopes of a first home victory of the season.

Nikola Vasilj's crucial penalty save against Jann-Fiete Arp proved to be a turning point in the match. - Stuart Franklin

Vasilj's heroics maintain lead

The first half ended with high drama as Holstein Kiel were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute. A poor backpass from Saliakas put Nikola Vasilj in a difficult position, leading to a foul on Lewis Holtby. However, Vasilj immediately redeemed himself by diving to his right to save Fiete Arp's spot-kick. This crucial save maintained St. Pauli's lead going into the break and proved to be a pivotal moment in the match.

Morgan Guilavogui celebrates his goal that doubled St. Pauli's lead and put them firmly in control of the match. - Stuart Franklin

St. Pauli extend their advantage

The second half saw Kiel come out with renewed determination, but it was St. Pauli who struck again. In the 56th minute, a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Oladapo Afolayan and Johannes Eggestein set up Morgan Guilavogui, who calmly slotted home to double the hosts' lead. The goal came against the run of play but effectively put St. Pauli in control of the match. Kiel responded with substitutions, bringing on Shuto Machino for Arp and later introducing Benedikt Pichler and Tymoteusz Puchacz in an attempt to change the game's momentum.

Johannes Eggestein's attacking prowess was on full display throughout the match, contributing significantly to St. Pauli's victory. - IMAGO/Henning Rohlfs

Eggestein seals the victory

As the match entered its final stages, St. Pauli continued to press for more goals. Their efforts were rewarded in the 85th minute when Eggestein added a third, effectively sealing the victory. The goal was a testament to Eggestein's clinical finishing and capped off an impressive individual performance. Holstein Kiel managed to pull one back in stoppage time through Phil Harres, but it was too little, too late for the visitors. The final whistle confirmed a crucial 3-1 victory for St. Pauli, lifting them out of the relegation zone and ending their home goal drought in emphatic fashion.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: St. Pauli 1.22 - Holstein Kiel 1.31
Fastest player: Finn Porath (KIE), 34.26 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Manolis Saliakas (STP), 9 percent
Most pressed player: Oladapo Afolayan (STP), 19 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: David Nemeth (STP), +1.65

Fantasy Heroes: Manolis Saliakas (St. Pauli, 332 Points), Johannes Eggestein (St. Pauli, 289 Points), Philipp Treu (St. Pauli, 259 Points)