Bayern Munich increased their lead over Bayer Leverkusen to six points at the top of the Bundesliga table with a 3-2 victory over St. Pauli. This was Bayern’s first home win against St. Pauli since 2010, bringing them closer to securing the Meisterschale.
St. Pauli, aiming for only their second three-game unbeaten streak this season, started strongly. Jackson Irvine’s deflected header hit the crossbar, denying him his first Bundesliga goal.
However, Bayern Munich quickly capitalized. Siebe Van der Heyden’s turnover allowed Michael Olise to set up Harry Kane, who scored his first goal in six league matches. With this goal, Kane has now scored against every team in the Bundesliga.
Despite having lost every previous top-flight game this season in which they had fallen behind, St. Pauli quickly equalized. Manolis Saliakas’s cross evaded Bayern’s defense, allowing Elias Saad to score past Jonas Urbig.
Bayern thought they had regained the lead when Kane scored again, but the goal was ruled offside.
Bayern Munich retook the lead early in the second half. Olise again provided the assist, setting up Leroy Sane, who scored past Nikola Vasilj.
St. Pauli resisted Bayern’s pressure for a time, with Vasilj making a save against Jamal Musiala, but Bayern extended their lead in the 71st minute. Olise set Kane through, and Kane teed up Sane for an easy goal.
Lars Ritzka scored a consolation goal for St. Pauli in stoppage time, his first in the Bundesliga.
The result extends St. Pauli’s winless away league run to four games. While their performance against the league leaders was respectable, Heidenheim’s win over Wolfsburg leaves St. Pauli only three points above the relegation playoff spot.
For Bayern Munich, while the performance may not have been entirely convincing, they now hold a commanding position in the league standings with only seven games remaining.
