FC St. Pauli secured a key home victory in the 2. Bundesliga on Sunday. Marcel Rapp's side defeated Karlsruher SC 2-0 at the Millerntor-Stadion, extending their unbeaten run in the process.

How the match unfolded

The game needed time to find its rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute. Metcalfe set up Abdoulie Ceesay, who finished from close range for 1-0. It was the striker's third goal of the campaign. After the break, St. Pauli sealed the points early. In the 52nd minute, Ritzka made it 2-0 following a pass from Smith. Karlsruhe created opportunities but found goalkeeper Voll and his defence in solid form. The visitors saw yellow cards for Sandro Trémoulet (34') and Marvin Wanitzek (48'), while St. Pauli substitute Branimir Hrgota was booked later (87').

The league context

This win lifts St. Pauli to seventh place in the 2. Bundesliga table. The team now has ten points from seven matches and is unbeaten in its last five outings, a run comprising two wins and three draws. You can review the full set of results for the season on our stats page. The gap to the relegation places is now more comfortable, though leaders Hertha BSC remain eleven points ahead.

What comes next

The team's next challenge is an away trip to face Hannover 96 next Saturday. Kick-off at the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena is scheduled for 20:30 local time. Hannover currently sits in 13th position. All of FC St. Pauli's upcoming fixtures are listed on our fixtures page. The starting lineup against Karlsruhe was: Voll, Pyrka, Nemeth, Ritzka (82' Dzwigala), Oppie, Smith, Metcalfe (82' Hrgota), Rasmussen (73' Klein), Fujita, Niang (68' Kaars), Ceesay (73' Jones).

The official attendance for the match against Karlsruhe was 29,546, the club confirmed. The Millerntor Stadium was well filled. The team maintains its strong early-season form with ten points from seven games and a goal difference of 10:8. Manager Marcel Rapp said, "The atmosphere in the stadium was once again a driving force."

Manager Marcel Rapp confirmed a tactical adjustment against Karlsruhe. Lars Ritzka replaced the suspended Tomoya Andō in the starting lineup. Branimir Hrgota returned to the squad following his injury. Rapp explained the new setup: "Smith stayed back to create a numerical advantage in the centre." The team remains in strong early form with ten points from seven games and a goal difference of 10:8.

FC St. Pauli has already received 16 yellow cards this season. The team, sitting seventh with ten points from seven games, remains unbeaten in the last five matches with two wins and three draws. The next task is the away fixture at Hannover 96.