Leroy Sané shines as Bayern Munich edge past spirited St. Pauli in five-goal thriller
Bayern Munich defeated St. Pauli 3-2 in a thrilling Matchday 27 encounter, with Leroy Sané scoring twice and Harry Kane back on the scoresheet as Vincent Kompany's side took an important step forward in the title race.
Bayern Munich 3-2 St. Pauli
Goals: 1-0 Kane 17‘ (assist: Olise), 1-1 Saad 27‘ (assist: Saliakas), 2-1 Sané 53‘ (assist: Olise), 3-1 Sané 71‘ (assist: Kane), 3-2 Ritzka 90+3‘
Bayern looked to bounce back from their recent Bundesliga setbacks at home to a resilient St. Pauli side. The match began with both teams joining forces in a powerful anti-racism message as part of the TOGETHER! campaign. With Bayern needing a win to maintain their gap at the top and St. Pauli boasting one of the league's best defensive records, the game was always going to be hard-fought.
Kane breaks the deadlock
The hosts started brightly, with Kane opening the scoring in the 17th minute. The England captain capitalised on a swift Bayern attack, slotting home after good work from Michael Olise. However, St. Pauli, true to their defensive reputation, refused to buckle under the pressure.
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St. Pauli's resilience shines through
The visitors' determination paid off in the 27th minute when Elias Saad found the back of the net, silencing the home crowd. Manolis Saliakas provided a pinpoint cross, allowing Saad to finish calmly past Jonas Urbig. The goal ensured the teams went into half-time level at 1-1.
Tactical tweak at half-time
Bayern made a significant change at the break, with Vincent Kompany introducing João Palhinha in place of Leon Goretzka. This substitution aimed to provide more stability in midfield and to allow Bayern's attacking players more freedom.
Sané turns the tide
The second half saw Bayern's tactical adjustment pay dividends. Sané took center stage, scoring in the 53rd minute to restore Bayern's lead. The Germany international's clinical finish from an Olise assist gave the hosts the platform to play with more freedom and to take control.
Bayern assert dominance
As the match progressed, Bayern's quality began to shine through. Sané doubled his tally in the 71st minute, effectively putting the game to bed. Despite St. Pauli's best efforts, they struggled to contain the relentless Bayern attack, with Sané, in particular, causing constant problems.
Late drama
Just as it seemed Bayern would cruise to victory, St. Pauli provided a late twist. In the third minute of stoppage time, Lars Ritzka scored a spectacular goal to bring the score back to 3-2. The substitute unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that flew past Urbig, setting up a tense finish. However, Bayern managed to hold on for a crucial victory, maintaining their position at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Player of the Match: Leroy Sané
Sané's outstanding performance was the difference in this thrilling encounter. The winger's two goals in the second half turned the tide decisively in Bayern's favour. Beyond his goalscoring exploits, Sané's overall play was exceptional. He consistently troubled the St. Pauli defence with his pace and dribbling, creating numerous chances for his teammates. His ability to find space and make intelligent runs off the ball was crucial in breaking down St. Pauli's resolute defence. Sané's match-winning display underlined his importance to Bayern's title aspirations.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bayern Munich 2.98 - St. Pauli 1.01
Fastest player: Michael Olise (Bayern), 33.33 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-2 by Lars Ritzka (Pauli), 3 percent
Most pressed player: Michael Olise (Bayern), 23 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Michael Olise (Bayern), +5.58
Fantasy Heroes: Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich, 353 Points), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, 317 Points), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, 271 Points)
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