St. Pauli boost survival hopes with crucial win against VfB Stuttgart

St. Pauli won for the first time in 2026, defeating VfB Stuttgart at home thanks to goals from Manolis Saliakas and Danel Sinani.

St. Pauli 2-1 Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Saliakas 35’ (assist: Pyrka), 2-0 Sinani 55’ (pen), 2-1 Leweling 90’ (assist: Arévalo)

St. Pauli entered this match in desperate need of points, having failed to secure a win since the turn of the year. With just two points from five matches in 2026, Alexander Blessin's side had slipped into serious relegation trouble.

In stark contrast, Stuttgart arrived at the Millerntor in excellent form, unbeaten in their previous four league matches and having collected 13 points from a possible 15 since the winter break.

The reverse fixture in September had seen Stuttgart triumph 2-0, a result that proved to be a turning point for both sides – kickstarting the visitors' season while beginning a dismal run for St. Pauli.

Manolis Saliakas fired home the opening goal for St. Pauli with a superb strike from the edge of the area in the 35th minute. - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Max Vincen

St. Pauli start brightly

The hosts made a promising start, showing more intensity than their high-flying visitors in the early exchanges. Martijn Kaars had the first notable attempt in the ninth minute, his shot from the edge of the area flashing just wide of Alexander Nübel's left post.

Stuttgart gradually grew into the game, and Chris Führich came closest for the visitors after 12 minutes when his close-range effort was well saved by Nikola Vasilj. Sinani tested Nübel midway through the half, but the breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Saliakas hammered a superb strike into the top corner following clever interplay with Sinani, who intelligently dummied Pyrka's cut-back to create space for the Greek defender.

Sinani celebrates after confidently converting his penalty to double St. Pauli's advantage and put them on course for a crucial victory. - IBRAHIM OT

About the players

2

Manolis

Saliakas

FC St. Pauli

Penalty doubles the lead

Stuttgart made a change at the break, bringing on Jamie Leweling for Bilal El Khannouss as Sebastian Hoeneß sought to inject more attacking threat. The visitors almost equalised shortly afterwards when Adam Dźwigała's accidental intervention turned Undav's cross onto his own post, with Vasilj stranded.

However, St. Pauli were handed a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the 53rd minute when VAR intervened, prompting referee Benjamin Brand to award a penalty for Führich's handball inside the box. Sinani stepped up and confidently sent Nübel the wrong way to make it 2-0.

The visitors pushed to get back into the match but struggled to create clear-cut chances, despite dominating possession. Undav attempted an ambitious lob that sailed over in the 59th minute, while both Undav and Ermedin Demirović picked up yellow cards as frustration grew in the Stuttgart ranks.

Stuttgart's Deniz Undav fouls Tomoya Ando in a physical contest that saw both Undav and teammate Ermedin Demirović receive yellow cards as the visitors chased the game. - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Max Vincen

Late drama

As the match entered its closing stages, Kaars had a glorious opportunity to put the game beyond doubt in the 83rd minute, racing clear on goal only to be denied by an excellent save from Nübel.

The importance of that stop became clear in the 90th minute, when substitute Leweling found the bottom corner with a precise finish after a goalmouth scramble to give Stuttgart hope at 2-1. The referee added six minutes of stoppage time, prompting anxiety around the Millerntor, but despite late Stuttgart pressure, the hosts held firm to secure three vital points in their battle against relegation.

The win moved St. Pauli to within two points of safety, while Stuttgart missed the chance to strengthen their push for European football.

Danel Sinani takes a shot during a match where he made significant offensive contributions, including converting a crucial penalty and being involved in the build-up to St. Pauli's opening goal. - IMAGO/Henning Rohlfs

Man of the Match: Manolis Saliakas

The Greek right-back produced a complete performance that epitomised St. Pauli's fighting spirit. His stunning first-half strike to break the deadlock was a moment of real quality, firing home with conviction after Sinani's clever dummy.

Beyond his goal, Saliakas was a constant outlet down the right flank, delivering several dangerous crosses and recording an impressive pass efficiency rating of 4.73 – the highest of any St. Pauli player.

Defensively, he remained disciplined throughout, helping to contain Stuttgart's threat down his side while showing excellent decision-making in possession. His energetic display was crucial to St. Pauli's first victory of 2026.

Man of the match Manolis Saliakas celebrates his brilliant opening goal which set St. Pauli on their way to a crucial victory against high-flying Stuttgart. - IMAGO/Susanne Hübner, Susanne Huebner

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: St. Pauli 2.23 - Stuttgart 1.37
Fastest player: Ramon Hendriks (Stuttgart), 34.88 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-1 by Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), 2.9 percent
Most pressed player: Danel Sinani (Stuttgart), 18 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Manolis Saliakas (St. Pauli), +4.73

Fantasy Heroes: Arkadiusz Pyrka (St. Pauli, 312 Points), Danel Sinani (St. Pauli, 252 Points), Manolis Saliakas (St. Pauli, 224 Points)

About the clubs

St. Pauli

Millerntor-Stadion

VfB Stuttgart

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