In a thrilling encounter on April 20, 2025, FC St. Pauli managed to secure a hard-fought 1:1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen at the Millerntor Stadium, leaving the title race wide open for Bayern Munich. The match, attended by 29,546 enthusiastic fans, showcased the determination of St. Pauli, who were without their captain, Jackson Irvine, due to a stress fracture in his foot.
The game kicked off with St. Pauli applying early pressure on the visitors, pushing Bayer Leverkusen back into their half. However, it was Leverkusen who struck first, with Patrik Schick scoring in the 32nd minute. The goal came from a well-delivered free-kick by Alejandro Grimaldo, which found Schick in the box, allowing him to head the ball home unchallenged. This marked Schick's 18th goal of the season, giving Bayer a crucial lead.
Despite the setback, St. Pauli remained resilient. They continued to fight for an equalizer, and their persistence paid off in the 78th minute. After a free-kick taken by Sinani was parried by Leverkusen's goalkeeper, Lukáš Hrádecký, Carlo Boukhalfa was quick to react, slotting the ball into the net from close range. The stadium erupted in celebration as the home side leveled the score.
For Leverkusen, the draw was a bitter disappointment. With only twelve points left to play for in the season, they now sit eight points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who are inching closer to their 34th title. Florian Wirtz made his long-awaited return to the starting lineup for Leverkusen after recovering from an ankle injury, but his presence was not enough to inspire a win.
After the match, Schick expressed the team's frustration, stating, "We have to be honest: the chance (for the championship) is gone. The performance we delivered simply isn’t good enough." His sentiment echoed the feelings of many in the Leverkusen camp, as they now face the harsh reality of a season without silverware.
St. Pauli, on the other hand, celebrated a significant point in their battle against relegation. The draw leaves them eight points clear of the relegation playoff spot, bolstering their hopes of remaining in the Bundesliga for another season. Coach Alexander Blessin praised his team's effort, particularly in the face of adversity without their captain, saying, "The boys showed great character today. We fought hard and deserved the point."
The first half saw both teams create chances, but it was Leverkusen who looked more dangerous. Jeremie Frimpong had an opportunity early on but failed to convert, while St. Pauli's best chances came from a header by Manolis Saliakas and a shot from Boukhalfa. As the match progressed, Leverkusen began to assert more control, yet they could not extend their lead.
In the second half, St. Pauli came out with renewed vigor, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Their efforts were nearly rewarded in the 74th minute when Morgan Guilavogui found the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed due to a handball infringement. This setback did not deter the home side, as they continued to press Leverkusen's defense.
As the clock ticked down, the pressure mounted on Leverkusen. They struggled to regain their rhythm, with Wirtz and Schick unable to create significant scoring opportunities in the final minutes. St. Pauli's defense held firm, denying Leverkusen any clear chances to snatch a late winner.
With the draw, Bayer Leverkusen's hopes of defending their title have been severely dented, and they must now focus on securing second place, as Frankfurt trails them by twelve points. Meanwhile, St. Pauli's performance has given them a much-needed boost in confidence as they approach the final stretch of the season.
In the aftermath of the match, Wirtz reflected on the team's challenges, acknowledging the fatigue that had set in as the season progressed. He stated, "The season has been long with many games. Recently, we have dropped points, and we weren't good enough. That was also due to a lack of energy."
As the Bundesliga season heads into its final weeks, both teams will need to regroup and refocus. Bayer Leverkusen must find a way to recover from this setback, while St. Pauli will look to build on their momentum as they continue their fight for survival in Germany's top flight. With the title race heating up and relegation battles intensifying, every point counts in these closing fixtures.
