Bayer 04 coach Kasper Hjulmand made two changes to his starting line-up from the last match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Captain Robert Andrich returned after serving a one-match ban and Axel Tape was also recalled, with Ibrahim Maza and Lucas Vázquez dropping to the bench. Nathan Tella wasn't yet fit enough to make the squad.
The first chance fell to St. Pauli in only the second minute, but Eric Smith's header from a corner just missed the target. Five minutes later, the Werkself threatened the home side's goal for the first time but Jarell Quansah couldn't get enough power behind his header to trouble goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Some last-ditch defending was requirede from Bayer 04, with Loïc Badé diverting Andreas Hountondji's effort over the bar (11') and Hauke Wahl's shot from another corner being blocked by Edmond Tapsoba's body on the line (18'). Seven minutes later, the centre-back opened the scoring at the end end, volleying home following Alejandro Grimaldo's free kick. St. Pauli hit back from a set piece of their own, though: a corner from Danel Sinani was fumbled by Mark Flekken and Wahl took advantage to net the equaliser. Mathias Pereira Lage was close to getting on the end of Sinani's cross in first-half stoppage time.
At the break, Ezequiel Fernández replaced the injured Andrich, with Grimaldo taking on the captain's armband for the second half. St. Pauli started on the front foot again and forced a series of corners. From one of them, Flekken did well to turn Manolis Saliakas' volley onto the post (54'). Vázquez and Ernest Poku were introduced in a double substitution for Ben Seghir and Tape (56'). It paid off immediately as Grimaldo played in Poku on the left of the penalty area and the Dutchman restored Leverkusen's lead with a right-footed shot into the near corner - his first Bundesliga goal. Bayer 04 controlled the game better after that, although did still commit some unnecessary mistakes in build-up. Jonas Hofmann came on for Malik Tillman in the visitors' fourth change (75').
Grimaldo's effort from distance was no problem for Vasilj (84'). After that, Patrik Schick had to leave the field with a knock, Christian Kofane replacing the Czech. Six minutes were added on, during which Flekken saved Smith's free kick and Grimaldo also needed treatment for an injury, but he and the Werkself battled on until full time to secure the 36th consecutive Bundesliga away match without loss.
Bayer 04 have two home fixtures in the coming week. On Wednesday 1 October (kick-off 21:00 CEST), PSV Eindhoven visit the BayArena in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. Then on Saturday 4 October (kick-off 15:30 CEST), 1. FC Union are the visitors in the Bundesliga.
Match stats
St. Pauli: Vasilj – Wahl, Smith, Ritzka (Dzwigala 68') – Saliakas (Ceesay 87'), Sands, Fujita (Metcalfe 81'), Opiie – Sinani – Hountondji (Kaars 68'), Pereira Lage (Afolayan 81')
Bayer 04: Flekken – Quansah, Badé, Tapsoba – Tape (Vázquez 56'), Andrich (Fernández 46'), Garcia, Grimaldo – Tillman (Hofmann 75'), Ben Seghir (Poku 56') – Schick (Kofane 89')
Goals: 0-1 Tapsoba (25'), 1-1 Wahl (32'), 1-2 Poku (58')
Referee: Martin Petersen (Stuttgart)
Yellow cards: Fujita, Smith, Cheesay / Quansah, Vázquez, Fernández, Flekken, Kofane
Attendance: 29,546 at the Millerntor-Stadion (sellout)
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