Karim Adeyemi inspires Borussia Dortmund to away victory over determined St. Pauli
Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 away win against St. Pauli on Matchday 24 with second-half goals from Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi securing the points for the visitors, after a very promising first half performance from the hosts.
St. Pauli 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Guirassy 51’ (assist: Adeyemi), 0-2 Adeyemi 58’
The hosts entered this match seeking to halt a run of three consecutive league defeats, while Dortmund aimed to build on their emphatic 6-0 victory against Union Berlin. Both sides were aware of the match's significance in their respective campaigns.
First-half stalemate
The opening 45 minutes saw both teams engaged in a tactical battle, with St. Pauli showing impressive resilience against their more fancied opponents. Noah Weißhaupt emerged as a standout performer for the hosts, causing problems for Dortmund's defence with his dynamic runs and clever positioning. In the 7th minute, Weißhaupt's cross found Elias Saad, whose header narrowly missed the target. St. Pauli continued to press, with Jackson Irvine volleying over from a corner in the 14th minute. Dortmund, despite enjoying more possession, struggled to break down St. Pauli's well-organised defence. Nico Schlotterbeck received a yellow card in the 13th minute for a late challenge on Weißhaupt, highlighting the intensity of the contest.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Dortmund's second-half surge
The complexion of the match changed dramatically after the restart. Dortmund emerged with renewed vigour, and their increased attacking intent quickly paid dividends. In the 50th minute, Karim Adeyemi's clever work in the box set up Serhou Guirassy, who showed great composure to slot home from close range, giving Dortmund the lead. The goal seemed to galvanise the away side, and they doubled their advantage just eight minutes later through a moment of individual brilliance from Adeyemi. The pacey winger embarked on a stunning solo run from the halfway line, leaving the St. Pauli defence in his wake before coolly finishing past Nikola Vasilj.
St. Pauli's valiant effort
Despite finding themselves two goals down, St. Pauli refused to capitulate. The hosts continued to push forward, with Weißhaupt and Irvine leading their efforts to get back into the game. However, Dortmund's defence, marshalled by the experienced Emre Can, held firm against the St. Pauli onslaught. The home side's best chance to reduce the deficit came in the 86th minute when Danel Sinani forced a good save from Gregor Kobel, but it was too little, too late for the spirited hosts. St. Pauli's frustration was evident when Abdoulie Ceesay received a yellow card in the 79th minute for a foul on Pascal Groß.
Player of the Match: Karim Adeyemi
Adeyemi's performance was instrumental in Dortmund's victory. The young winger's influence grew as the match progressed, culminating in a goal and an assist that turned the tide decisively in Dortmund's favour. His assist for Guirassy's opener demonstrated his vision and unselfishness, while his solo goal showcased his blistering pace and clinical finishing. Adeyemi's overall contribution, including his defensive work and ability to stretch the St. Pauli defence, made him the standout player on the pitch.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: St. Pauli 0.62 - Borussia Dortmund 1.82
Fastest player: Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund), 34.24 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund), 62 percent
Most pressed player: Giovanni Reyna (Dortmund), 17 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund), +2.92
Fantasy Heroes: Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund, 245 Points), Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund, 211 Points), Emre Can (Dortmund, 187 Points)
Related news
In-form Adeyemi back in Germany fold
The Dortmund winger's terrific form has not been lost on Julian Nagelsmann...
How do Dortmund and Stuttgart stack up?
In a game of fresh starts and burning ambitions, we put Dortmund's encounter with Stuttgart under the spotlight.
Bundesliga quartet leading the way in the Champions League
Harry Kane tops the pile of a Bundesliga-heavy list of the competition’s top scorers so far this season.