FC St. Pauli

Timo Schultz's side went into the clash with an impressive Karlsruhe outfit buoyed by the 1-0 win over HSV in the derby and with two changes in the starting lineup. Finn Ole Becker failed a late fitness test and was replaced by Afeez Aremu, while Philipp Ziereis was rested, enabling Tore Reginiussen to make his first start for the club.

The game got off to a lively start in bright sunshine at the Wildpark, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment. Karlsruhe seized the initiative early on and registered two corner-kicks in the opening four minutes, neither of which posed a threat, however. It was a different story in the seventh minute when the Boys in Brown created a double chance at the other end. A shot from Guido Burgstaller was blocked in the penalty area and the rebound landed at the feet of Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who forced an excellent save from Marius Gersbeck from close range.

KSC regained the edge in the ensuing period but were unable to fashion any opportunities of note. The Schultz XI were content to wait for their moment to pounce, but apart from a half-chance for Burgstaller, whose shot was gathered by Gersbeck, there was little action to speak of in the home penalty box. Until the 31^st minute, that is, when Omar Marmoush dribbled his way into space in the inside-left channel and flashed an angled drive just past the far post from the edge of the area.

With the majority of the play continuing to unfold in midfield, there were no further chances at either end before the break.

The pattern remained the same after the restart, as did the composition of the two teams. And as in the first period, it was Gersbeck who produced a brilliant stop to prevent the Boys in Brown from taking an early lead. Leart Paqarada linked up with Kyereh on the left before delivering a low ball into the advancing Rico Benatelli. He attempted to wrongfoot the KSC goalkeeper with a pinpoint effort towards the near post, only for the keeper to stick out a leg to deny the midfielder what looked like a certain goal.

Karlsruhe carved out their first decent opportunity of the proceedings soon after that when Benjamin Goller popped up alone in front of goal on the break and tried to slip a low drive past Dejan Stojanović. But the St. Pauli custodian got down quickly to parry the shot with his right hand before snapping up the loose ball.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Timo Schultz made two changes, introducing Maximilian Dittgen and Luca Zander for Marmoush and Benatelli. The double switch had little impact, however, and the game remained low on highlights. There was a minor scare for the Boys in Brown in the 79^th minute, though, when Goller almost latched onto the loose ball after Stojanović had defused an effort from Philipp Hofmann.

Schultz made another double substitution in the closing stages, Kyereh and Burgstaller making way for Daschner and Matanović. It was Zalazar who had the chance to win it, though, after Dittgen had forced his way down the left and Zander had laid the ball off for our No8. His effort flew wide of the goal, however.

That was the last of the action and the Boys in Brown return to Hamburg with a well-earned point in the bag.

Karlsruher SC

Gersbeck - Thiede, Bormuth, Kobald, Heise - Gondorf, Choi, Wanitzek - Goller (Gueye 83'), Lorenz (Batmaz 63') - Hofmann

Head coach: Christian Eichner

FC St. Pauli

Stojanović - Ohlsson, Reginiussen, Lawrence, Paqarada - Aremu, Benatelli (Zander 68'), Zalazar, Kyereh (Daschner 85') - Marmoush (Dittgen 68'), Burgstaller (Matanović 85')

Head coach: Timo Schultz

Yellow cards: Gondorf – Ohlsson

Referee: Christian Dingert

Photos: Witters