HAMBURG, Germany – A costly error from Werder Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus proved decisive as FC St. Pauli secured a vital 2-1 victory over their relegation rivals in a tense Bundesliga encounter at the Millerntor Stadium on Sunday. The result sees St. Pauli climb out of the relegation zone, while Werder Bremen’s winless streak extends to 13 league games, deepening their concerns at the foot of the table.
The match, a crucial six-pointer for both sides, was characterized by a cautious opening. However, the game ignited in the second half, with Hauke Wahl opening the scoring for St. Pauli in the 55th minute. The goal stemmed directly from a mistake by Backhaus, who failed to securely hold a harmless header, allowing the ball to slip through his grasp.
“In the 2nd half, we threw everything into it and ultimately forced the win,” Wahl told reporters after the match, as reported by NDR.de.
Bremen responded quickly, with substitute Jovan Milošević leveling the score just seven minutes later, capitalizing on a rare attacking opportunity. Milošević, who had been on the pitch for barely two minutes, found the back of the net, offering a glimmer of hope for the visitors. However, St. Pauli quickly regained the lead through Joel Chima Fujita, who scored from a tight angle in the 70th minute to secure the three points.
The defeat is a significant blow to Werder Bremen, who have now failed to secure a Bundesliga victory in 13 consecutive matches. The change in management, with Horst Steffen replaced by Daniel Thioune, has yet to yield any positive results, as Thioune has lost all three of his games in charge. The loss too sees St. Pauli leapfrog Bremen in the table, moving into the relegation playoff spot, while Bremen remain in the direct relegation zone.
The game was also notable for the return of several St. Pauli players from injury, which manager Alexander Blessin cited as a key factor in their victory. According to Kicker, Blessin was pleased with the team’s performance and their ability to overcome recent setbacks.
Backhaus’s error will undoubtedly be the talking point for Werder Bremen fans. The 21-year-old, who also goes by the name Mio Nagata, has represented both Germany and Japan at youth levels. He joined Werder Bremen in 2018 after a spell with Alemannia Aachen and signed a new contract with the club in 2023, tying him to Bremen until 2026, as detailed on his Wikipedia page. He spent the 2023-2024 season on loan at FC Volendam, where he made 33 appearances and recorded the most saves (176) in the Eredivisie.
Werder Bremen’s offensive struggles continue to be a major concern. The team, which finished eighth in the league last season, has found it difficult to find the back of the net consistently this campaign. This was evident in Sunday’s match, where they struggled to create clear-cut chances despite their need for a positive result.
The atmosphere at the Millerntor Stadium was electric, with passionate support from the home fans. The victory marked St. Pauli’s first Bundesliga win against Werder Bremen in 48 years, adding to the significance of the result for the Hamburg-based club.
Looking ahead, St. Pauli will travel to face TSG Hoffenheim next Saturday, while Werder Bremen will host 1. FC Heidenheim at the Weserstadion. Both matches will kick off at 15:30 local time. The pressure is mounting on Werder Bremen to turn their season around, while St. Pauli will be looking to build on this crucial victory and continue their fight for Bundesliga survival.
This result significantly alters the landscape of the relegation battle, with St. Pauli gaining a crucial advantage over their rivals. Werder Bremen, meanwhile, face an increasingly uphill struggle to avoid the drop.
Worth a look
