League leaders capitalise on uncharacteristic St. Pauli defending

Bayern München entered the match knowing they would remain top of the Bundesliga regardless of the result, but the question remained: by how much? 

Determined to reassert their dominance, they faced a spirited St. Pauli side that started brightly, pressing high and unsettling the champions. The lively Weißhaupt was particularly dangerous, constantly looking to disrupt Bayern’s rhythm.

Despite Pauli’s strong start, it was Bayern who struck first in the 17th minute. A high press from Jamal Musiala forced a turnover, and Michael Olise slid a perfect ball across the box for Harry Kane. The England captain, without a Bundesliga goal in his last five games, made no mistake from close range, finishing coolly to break his drought.

However, St. Pauli responded in the 27th minute through Elias Saad. A brilliant low cross into the box found Saad in the perfect position to tap home past Jonas Urbig, levelling the game and giving the visitors a deserved reward for their positive play before Bayern’s opener. It also marked yet another match where Bayern had let a lead slip, a recurring theme in recent weeks.

Just three minutes later, Kane thought he had restored Bayern’s lead after latching onto a lofted ball from Leon Goretzka and finishing clinically. However, the flag went up for offside, keeping the score level as the first half continued to unfold with both sides showing attacking intent.

Starting the second half with intent and impetus, Bayern once again took the lead in the 53rd minute after some uncharacteristic poor defending from St. Pauli allowed Leroy Sane through on goal before firing the ball home with a left-footed half-volley.

Sane went on to then give the hosts breathing space as he confidently finished in front of the Südkurve after Harry Kane slid the ball across to the winger. 

The visitors threw a spanner into the works in the 93rd minute when Lars Ritzka sent a ferocious low strike into the bottom corner of Urbig's goal from distance. However, it turned out to be too little, too late for die Kiezkicker.

Earning a vital three points in their game in hand, Bayern extended the gap at the top to six points again following Bayer Leverkusen's 3-1 win against Bochum on Friday.