Crazy comeback - St. Pauli snatches victory from Dortmund

What a final phase: FC St. Pauli snatched what they thought was a sure away win from Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening, earning a point. In the 3-3 (0-1) Bundesliga draw, BVB didn't play well, yet were on the winning track for a long time. But in the end, their poor performance was punished.

Sehrou Guirassy (34th minute), Waldemar Anton (67th), and Julian Brandt (74th) put BVB in the lead. Andreas Hountondji (50th) had equalized for Hamburg, but Danel Sinani (86th) and Eric Smith (89th) equalized in spectacular final minutes.

St. Pauli coach Blessin fielded five new signings from the start, but the newly formed team appeared to be a unit from the outset. Louis Oppie, one of the newcomers, had the first chance to shoot, but his right-footed effort was harmless (10'). But St. Pauli held on – and could have taken an early lead. Waldemar Anton underestimated a powerful long pass from Danel Sinani, leaving Hountondji with a clear path. BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a strong save from the Frenchman's shot (18').

BVB were barely visible at first. Coach Niko Kovac's face was already frowning: their build-up play was flawed, and the attackers barely got a ball. It wasn't until 23 minutes had passed that Dortmund registered their first shot on goal, when Sehrou Guirassy was denied by St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj from a tight angle. Shortly afterward, Guirassy again created the best chance so far, winning the ball and setting up strike partner Karim Adeyemi, who in turn, with a backheel, played it on, perhaps somewhat accidentally, to the advancing Pascal Groß. Groß was unable to beat Vasilj, who was once again alert, from close range (25').

Vasilj was forced to reach behind him for the first time in the 34th minute when Sabitzer delivered a smooth left-footed cross towards the far post. Guirassy broke through robustly in the middle and headed home an unstoppable goal to give the visitors the lead. And the next dangerous opportunity also came from Guirassy. His clever pass put Adeyemi in position, who cut in the box and was brought down by St. Pauli's Eric Smith – a penalty. However, Guirassy failed to crown his perfect performance up to that point: the Guinean's weak penalty was saved by Vasilj (39').

The thwarted second Dortmund goal certainly spurred Hamburg's courage, who returned to their strong opening minutes. However, nothing more than a few crosses and the occasional safe shot on goal resulted. The Bosnian has now saved five of his six Bundesliga penalties.

Kovac, clearly dissatisfied with his team's style of play, made two substitutions at halftime, bringing on Brandt and Felix Nmecha for Adeyemi and the unobtrusive €30 million signing Jobe Bellingham. And Brandt immediately made his presence felt: Vasilj fished his long-range shot toward the right corner out of the corner.

Vasilj's saves were all the more valuable because St. Pauli finally started threatening again. Sinani was able to cross relatively unchallenged in the penalty area, and Hountondji leapfrogged Bundesliga debutant Mane and headed the ball into the left corner. Mathias Pereira Lage (65') could have even opened the scoring after a terrific combination play down the right, but was thwarted by Kobel.

More or less out of nowhere, BVB suddenly returned. Substitute Nmecha quickly intercepted the ball to Anton in the penalty area, whose shot took a decisive deflection and landed in the far corner. Brandt, another notable substitute, increased the lead to 3-1 shortly afterwards after a long ball. The highly talented attacker superbly collected Groß's high ball and fired into the far corner with his second touch – suddenly, the game seemed decided in BVB's favor.

But a Dortmund blunder brought St. Pauli back into the game. Youngster Mane pulled on his shirt, and referee Matthias Jöllenbeck, after reviewing the video footage, awarded a penalty and showed Mane the red card. Sinani kept his cool from the penalty spot and ensured a heated finale. And the equalizer did indeed come: Smith, falling, shot from distance and fired the ball into the net to equalize again.

In stoppage time, Hamburg came even closer to victory, without having a clear-cut chance. Dortmund failed to produce anything further – the bottom line is a puzzling performance from the ambitious BVB, which raises questions.

Next Friday, the Hamburg derby kicks off under floodlights at the Volkspark (8:30 p.m.). Borussia Dortmund hosts Union Berlin on Sunday (5:30 p.m.).

• football
• Bundesliga
• FC St. Pauli
• Borussia Dortmund