St. Pauli safe, Frankfurt wait, UCL race in BVB’s hands | OneFootball

Knowing Dortmund’s result in Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt started the game with the intent of sealing their Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, St. Pauli could still be dragged into the relegation/promotion playoff spot after Heidenheim’s excellent win in the capital yesterday.

Dino Toppmöller started the same XI from last week’s draw in Mainz, while St. Pauli have three changes from the side that narrowly lost to Stuttgart. Nikola Vasilj and Siebe Van der Heyden missed this one since they were both sent off in that game, while Oladapo Afolayan returns to the XI.

In Vasilj’s absence, Ben Voll was handed a starting debut, but his first task was to get the ball out of his net. Rasmus Kristensen put the hosts ahead after only 27 seconds of play.

However, less than five minutes later, the score was tied again. Danel Sinani and Morgan Guilavogui combined well before Manolis Saliakas provided the finishing touch for the visitors.

Before the 20th minute, Pauli completed the turnaround when Guilavogui rounds Kevin Trapp to slot the ball into an empty net. Voll was credited with the assist as his evening suddenly turned for the better.

The Eagles possessed the majority of the ball, but the closest they came to level the score in the first-half was when Ekitiké was brought down in the box. They didn’t get the penalty-kick, and the visitors hold on to their lead.

Toppmöller went back to his two strikers system as Michy Batshuayi comes on Jean-Mattéo Bahoya’s place for second-half. Can Uzun also entered the fray after Tuta’s injury, but he failed to direct a free header on goal five minutes after his introduction.

However, Batshuayi did succeed in fulfilling the mission he received at the break. Twenty minutes before the end of regular time, the Belgian scored with a rapid finish inside the box.

With Frankfurt maximizing their pressure, Kristensen and Batshuayi had decent chances to win it right at the end. The newly-promoted team held on to secure a priceless point. Thanks to their vastly superior goal differential compared to Heidenheim, Alexander Blessin's side all but secure their status for next season's Bundesliga.

On the last day of the season, Frankfurt play their 1900th Bundesliga game away at Freiburg. The winner of the game will surely secure Champions League football. Toppmöller’s side could also book their place with a draw. A two-goal win over already relegated Holstein Kiel will be enough for Dortmund.