Igor Matanović returns to haunt former club as Freiburg come from behind at St. Pauli

Igor Matanović scored twice against his former club as Freiburg came from behind to beat St. Pauli to aid their European ambitions while leaving the hosts in relegation trouble.

St. Pauli 1-2 Freiburg
Goals: 1-0 Sinani 24' (Andō), 1-1 Matanović 65' (assist: Grifo), 1-2 Matanović 78' (assist: Irié)

St. Pauli entered the match seeking to extend their impressive unbeaten home run of six Bundesliga matches, a streak that had proven vital in their fight against relegation. 

The hosts were the Bundesliga's lowest scorers coming into Matchday 27 with just 23 goals, but had been solid at the Millerntor since turning around an early-season slump. For Vincenzo Grifo of Freiburg, the occasion marked his 300th Bundesliga appearance, with the veteran leading out a side that had demolished Belgian outfit Genk 5-1 just three days earlier to reach their first-ever European quarter-final.

Danel Sinani celebrates his opening goal with teammates, jumping into the arms of Eric Smith as St. Pauli took a deserved first-half lead. - IMAGO/Justus Stegemann

St. Pauli strike first

The home side started with purpose and controlled much of the first half. Niklas Beste fired just wide for Freiburg in the third minute, but St. Pauli gradually took command.

Mathias Rasmussen and Joel Chima Fujita both tested Noah Atubolu as the pressure mounted. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Tomoya Andō won a header from a corner, and Danel Sinani reacted quickest to turn the ball home from close range.

Freiburg struggled to respond before the interval, with their best chance falling to Yuito Suzuki, who saw his effort blocked just before half-time.

Jan-Niklas Beste of Freiburg and Lars Ritzka of St. Pauli battle for possession in what was an intensely competitive Bundesliga encounter - IMAGO/Justus Stegemann

About the players

31

Igor

Matanović

Sport-Club Freiburg

Freiburg fight back

Julian Schuster made two key changes at the break, bringing on Philipp Lienhart and Cyriaque Irié, and the visitors were transformed. The second half saw Freiburg take control with 65% possession as they pinned St. Pauli back. After several near misses, including a Matanović shot tipped over by Nikola Vasilj, the equaliser arrived in the 65th minute. 

A Grifo attempt was blocked, with the ball falling to Matanović, who finished with a deflected left-footed strike against his boyhood club. St. Pauli briefly rallied with Mathias Pereira Lage seeing a shot blocked, but Freiburg continued to press forward.

Freiburg players celebrate what proved to be the winning goal as they completed their comeback at the Millerntor Stadium to claim all three points - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Marcel von Fehrn

Matanović completes the turnaround

The visitors thought they had gone ahead in the 76th minute via Irié, but VAR spotted an offside in the build-up. They wouldn't be denied for long, however. Just two minutes later, Suzuki drove forward before finding Irié, whose shot was parried by Vasilj directly into the path of Matanović. The striker made no mistake from close range to put Freiburg in front.

St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin was booked for his protests as his side's momentum was completely lost. Despite throwing on fresh attackers and seven minutes of added time, the hosts couldn't fashion a clear chance to equalise, with Arkadiusz Pyrka's late header dropping onto the roof of the net.

Igor Matanović refused to celebrate either of his goals out of respect for St. Pauli, the club where he spent 13 years and developed as a professional - IMAGO/Arne Amberg

Player of the Match: Igor Matanović

Matanović delivered a match-winning performance against his former club. His two goals turned the game on its head, showcasing both opportunism and clinical finishing. Beyond the goals, he was a constant threat, having five shots in total and winning 15 challenges - more than any other Freiburg player.

He also showed character by choosing not to celebrate either goal out of respect for his former team.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: St. Pauli 0.91 - Freiburg 2.02
Fastest player: Arkadiusz Pyrka (St. Pauli), 34.52 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Igor Matanović (Freiburg), 4 percent
Most pressed player: Danel Sinani (St. Pauli), 26 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Mathias Pereira Lage (St. Pauli), +5.12

Fantasy Heroes: Igor Matanović (Freiburg, 450 Points), Danel Sinani (St. Pauli, 270 Points), Noah Atubolu (Freiburg, 183 Points)

About the clubs

Freiburg

Europa-Park Stadion

St. Pauli

Millerntor-Stadion