
Image credits: Christof Koepsel/GettyImages
Borussia Dortmund's consistent performance in the second half led to a 2-0 win over St Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday, as the visitors claimed back-to-back league victories for the first time this season. The win was a significant boost for Dortmund, who have endured a difficult campaign, and they remain in 10th place with 35 points from 24 matches, three behind sixth-placed RB Leipzig in the last European qualifying spot.
St Pauli dominated possession in the opening stages but were unable to make the most of the string of half chances they created. Dortmund lacked fluency and invention in the first half, with their best opportunity coming in stoppage time when Adeyemi latched onto a ball that went over the top of St Pauli's defence, but the winger's shot flew narrowly wide. The visitors came back with more intensity after the interval and were quickly rewarded when Guirassy tapped in Adeyemi's pass in the 51st minute for his 14th league goal of the season.
Niko Kovac's team doubled their advantage seven minutes later thanks to a superb solo goal from Adeyemi, who picked up the ball near the halfway line, outmuscled defender Philipp Treu and turned midfielder Eric Smith before slotting home. Adeyemi squandered a chance to add to his tally in the 72nd minute when he blazed over the crossbar from close range, while Guirassy also had a goal disallowed for offside. The match scores were as follows:
- Borussia Dortmund: 2
- St Pauli: 0
Substitute Danel Sinani almost got a goal back for the hosts in the 87th minute, letting fly from distance to force a sharp save out of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. St Pauli's fourth straight league defeat left them in 15th place, four points clear of VfL Bochum in the relegation playoff spot. The current team rankings are:
- RB Leipzig: 6th place
- Borussia Dortmund: 10th place
- St Pauli: 15th place
- VfL Bochum: relegation playoff spot
- Champions League last-16 first-leg clash: Borussia Dortmund vs Lille
The player statistics for the match were:
- Serhou Guirassy: 1 goal
- Karim Adeyemi: 1 goal, 1 assist
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