Braunschweig's poor start to 2015 got even worse at home to bottom club St. Pauli, as headed goals from both their centre-backs proved the difference at the Eintracht-Stadion. Sören Gonther and Lasse Sobiech struck either side of half-time to secure an invaluable three points on Saturday afternoon.
Torsten Lieberknecht's side put on a solid performance in their 2-0 DFB-Pokal defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday. They were looking to return to winning ways in the 2. Bundesliga, having not won in the league since the turn of the year. Maximilian Sauer, Hendrick Zuck, Vegar Hedenstad and Ryu Sueng-Woo were replaced by Damir Vrancic, Jan Hochscheidt, Havard Nielsen and Emil Berggreen, in an attempt to freshen up the starting eleven.
St. Pauli missed a massive chance to move out of the relegation zone last weekend, after being held to a 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Erzgebirge Aue. Ewald Lienen did show faith in a largely similar side that picked up that point, however. Marc Rzatkowski earned a starting berth ahead of Waldemar Sobota, as did Sebastian Maier in place of Enis Alushi.
It was a very cagey and tight opening ten minutes, what many would have expected given the form of both sides. Ken Reichel and Sebastian Maier had half chances for their respective teams, but neither were of any great significance.
The tense nature of the game continued and there was little to shout about, that was until Sören Gonther gave the visitors a shock lead. He came steaming in to meet Dennis Daube's corner, after evading Reichel, before powering home his header part Rafal Ginkiewicz; the Polish 'keeper got a hand to the ball, but was unable to turn it away.
Lieberknecht's usual animated style was replaced with a forlorn look on his face. Tthe home fans were also beginning to get agitated as their team couldn't force Robin Himmelmann into a meaningful save until the forty-third minute. Once more it was Reichel, though his shot was comfortable save for the St. Pauli stopper.
Braunschweig came out a different outfit in the second half and Nik Omladic forced Himmelmann into a smart save low to his left after the restart. Christopher Nöthe did send their hosts a warning minutes later, as a swift counter attack saw his shot whistle across the face of goal.
Correia was then called into some last-ditch defending; St. Pauli broke away and Ginkiewicz stopped Lennart Thy's initial shot, though the Portuguese defender needed to be alert to hack the ball off the line.
A double change from Lieberknecht seen Hedenstad and Hendrick Zuck arrive in the game and the latter almost found an equaliser, only for his thirty-yard drive to swerve just wide of the post.
That bright start couldn't be capitalised upon by Braunschweig and they were made to pay for not finding the net. A brilliant free-kick from Daube, who again provided the assist, found Lasse Sobiech rising above Berggreen. The former Dortmund defender left Ginkiewicz with no chance, as the ball found the bottom corner and sent the St. Pauli faithful into wild celebrations.
They held off the Braunschweig siege and claimed a huge victory, which saw them move level with Erzgebirge Aue in 16th. Their first away win of the season means that the Hamburg-based club were within a point of safety, ahead of their game against FSV Frankfurt next Saturday.
The Lions' struggles continued and showed no signs of ending, especially with such a lack of drive going forward. Lieberknecht's side travel to SV Sandhausen next weekend, knowing they must win to keep alive any slim hopes of an immediate return to the Bundesliga.
