After the crazy match yesterday between Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt (3-3), the 18th day of the Bundeliga continued this Saturday afternoon. Dortmund (2nd) hosted the penultimate in the championship, Sankt Pauli, in their den. With a significant gap in the standings, Alexander Blessin’s men only had 12 points before kick-off, and had to bounce back as best they could. The match almost turned to the advantage of the visitors after only twenty minutes. Harm Osmers, the referee of the match, requested video assistance for a potential penalty, but it was not awarded (20th). Despite strong ball possession from Julian Brandt’s teammates, Dortmund only found the fault before the break. On a perfectly executed cross from Karim Adeyemi, Brandt opened the scoring with a secure flat foot (45+1). A lesser advantage for the men in yellow, but upon returning from the locker room, it started again with a vengeance. Fabio Silva passes a new ball to Karim Adeyemi, who finishes at ground level (54th). Passerby, then scorer, he is provisionally the man of the match at the hour mark.
However, James Sands immediately reduced the score with a header from a corner (62nd), before Ricky-Jade Jones equalized ten minutes later (72nd). A massive blow for Dortmund since the locals went two matches in a row without conceding a goal at home. In the final moments of the match, Niko Kovac and his men obtained a penalty, concluded by Emer Can (90+5). He therefore offers victory to his team, and remains second in the championship. Their adversaries sink, and hold their last place. In the other matches of the afternoon, Cologne put up a good battle against Mainz (17th before kick-off), and managed to widen the score in the second half thanks to a double from Ragnar Ache (2-1). Only match without a goal between Hamburg and Borussia M’Gladbach. The two teams were unable to decide between themselves, and therefore stuck in the middle of the table with this blank score (0-0). For its part, Hoffenheim achieved a great masterstroke against Leverkusen, and sticks Dortmund in the standings with a deserved third place (1-0). Finally, Heidenheim could sign its first victory since December 6, but this unfortunately did not materialize against Wolfsburg (1-1).
The results of the 3:30 p.m. multiplex:
Dortmund 3-2 St. Pauli: Brandt (45+1), Adeyemi (54th), Can (90+5) / Sands (62nd), Jones (73rd)
Cologne 2-1 Mainz: Ache (57th, 85th) / Bell (29th)
Hamburg 0-0 Borussia M’Gladbach
Hoffenheim 1-0 Leverkusen: Burger (9th)
Wolfsburg 1-1 Heidenheim: Jenz (80th) / Beck (45+1)
