For the game in Dortmund, head coach Alexander Blessin had to do without Elias Saad and Connor Metcalfe, among others, but the recently injured Eric Smith, Philipp Treu (both starting eleven) and Carlo Boukhalfa (bench) reported fit in time. Captain Irvine led our team onto the pitch after more than 30,000 kilometers on the plane, two international matches for Australia and just one session in Hamburg. Blessin made one change compared to the 0:3 against Mainz 05: Morgan Guilavogui started for Saad. Were in the professional squad for the first time Ronny Seibt and Marwin Schmitz. BVB coach Nuri Sahin changed his starting lineup to three positions after the 1-2 defeat at Union Berlin: Ramy Bensebaini, Marcel Sabitzer and Donyell Malen replaced Yan Couto, Jamie Gittens and Maximilian Beier.
The Borussia team, who were very strong at home, dominated the game from the start, our Kiezkickers held on with a lot of passion and a compact defense. But they couldn’t prevent Serhou Guirassy from appearing free in front of Nikola Vasilj after a pass from Julian Brandt. Our keeper made a strong save and prevented us from falling behind early on (6′). As a result, BVB remained in control with up to 80 percent possession of the ball at times, but without creating another significant chance. When the ball did get through to Malen in the penalty area, Hauke Wahl was able to make a decisive clearance (15th). Almost in return, our boys had a great chance to take the lead. Guilavogui won the ball strongly in midfield against Emre Can, Irvine picked up the ball and sent Oladapo Afolayan on his way. At the last moment, Bensebaini was able to block his shot from 14 meters with a tackle. The 8,000 FCSP fans were already screaming for goal (16th).
On the other side, Vasilj initially grabbed hold of Julian Ryersons from 15 meters (22′), before a deflected shot from Pascal Groß went past the FCSP goal on the right (23′) and Waldemar Anton headed the subsequent corner over the goal (24′). The Kiezkickers became a little more courageous and Eric Smith joined in at the front. He fired energetically from almost 25 meters and the shot, which was too centrally placed, shouldn’t be a problem for Gregor Kobel (28th). If you can’t meet it yourself, then submit it. Moments later, Smith took a free kick from the left into the penalty area and Guilavogui slotted the ball over the line (30′). After a VAR check, the goal was disallowed because Guilavogui was offside – an incredibly close decision (32nd). BVB then increased the pressure again and took the lead shortly before half-time. Bensebaini headed a cross from Groß unstoppable for Vasilj from eleven meters right next to the right post (43′). Brandt, who was completely free, almost added a header, but he put the ball over the crossbar from close range (45th + 1).
The 16th minute: Free in front of Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini is able to block Oladapo Afolayan’s shot at the last moment.
After the break, only Jamie Gittens replaced Pascal Groß on the host side, our Boys in Brown returned to the pitch unchanged. Due to technical problems with referee Matthias Jöllenbeck’s equipment, the second half began a few minutes later. When the ball rolled again, BVB let it run a lot in their own ranks, while our Kiezkickers stood deep and were only very rarely able to initiate their own attacks. Robert Wagner’s first shot was blocked (47′). The hosts became more dangerous: Brandt was able to shoot from 22 meters, but Vasilj was in the bottom right corner in time and prevented the score from making it 0-2 (57′). When Guilavogui was able to gain momentum in a duel with several Dortmund players on the other side, he was stopped in the penalty area by Can (60th).
Back over to the other side, where Brandt was able to pass through for Guirassy, but he was denied from eight meters by the alert Vasilj (64′). Moments later, Guirassy and Malen narrowly missed the second goal when Gittens gave him a low cross (65′). Blessin made the first change shortly afterwards, with Scott Banks replacing Guilavogui (68th). Our team was unable to break through BVB’s dominant possession football and only rarely made any significant attacks of their own. But because it was only 0-1, our team was still in the game. Then our Kiezkickers were at the front again and Afolayan finished from 22 meters, but Kobel grabbed the ball safely (76′).
Less than 120 seconds later, Kobel stretched in vain. Smith took a blocked ball from 25 meters directly and chased the ball with great force into the top left corner. Because Afolayan, who was offside, may have disturbed Kobel’s view, the goal was checked. This time Jöllenbeck pointed to the middle point – 1:1 (78th)! Blessin brought on Adam Dźwigała for Manolis Saliakas (82′) and he was supposed to help bring something valuable from Dortmund. But BVB went forward and moments later took the lead again through Guirassy, who used a Gittens cross (83′). Shortly before the end, Andreas Albers and Danel Sinani also came. Not the two of them, but Dźwigała, who had been substituted previously, had the score 2-2 after a throw-in. He dropped the ball over from seven meters (90+1). Sinani tried again with a side kick, but the shot was blocked (90th + 4). Shortly afterwards the final whistle sounded.
7th matchday: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC St. Pauli
Borussia Dortmund
Kobel – Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Can (69th Nmecha), Groß (46th Gittens) – Sabitzer, Brandt, Malen (76th Beier) – Guirassy
Head coach: Nuri Şahin
FC St. Pauli
Vasilj – Wahl, Smith, Mets – Saliakas (82nd Batter), Irvine, Wagner, Treu – Guilavogui (69th Banks), Eggestein (88th Albers), Afolayan (88th Sinani)
Head coach: Alexander Blessin
Tor: 1:0 Bensebaini (43.), 1:1 Smith (78.), 2:1 Guirassy (83.)
Yellow cards: Gittens, Brandt / Smith
referee: Matthias Jöllenbeck (Freiburg)
Fans: 81,365 (sold out)
(hb)
Photos: FC St. Pauli / Witters
