Burkardt shines as clinical Mainz down St. Pauli

St. Pauli 0-3 Mainz
Goals: 0-1 Burkardt 5’ (assist: Mwene), 0-2 Sieb 16’ (assist: Amiri), 0-3 Burkardt 62’ (assist: Amiri)

St. Pauli welcomed Mainz to the Millerntor-Stadion for a crucial Bundesliga clash. The home side entered the match buoyed by their recent 3-0 victory over Freiburg, which ended a 16-game winless streak in the top flight. Mainz, on the other hand, were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Heidenheim. Elias Saad and Carlo Boukhalfa were doubtful for St. Pauli due to illness and a potential hip injury recurrence, respectively. The stage was set for an intriguing battle between St. Pauli's possession-based style and Mainz's counter-attacking prowess.

The match kicked off with an electrifying start as Jonathan Burkardt put Mainz ahead in just the fifth minute. The striker showcased his aerial prowess, expertly guiding a header over St. Pauli's goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. The early goal stunned the home crowd and set the tone for Mainz's clinical performance. St. Pauli attempted to respond quickly, with Saad and Oladapo Afolayan combining well, but Mainz's defence held firm. The visitors doubled their lead in the 16th minute when Armindo Sieb capitalised on a St. Pauli error, finishing coolly past Vasilj. Despite falling behind, the home side continued to dominate possession, creating several chances but failing to find the back of the net.

As the first half progressed, St. Pauli ramped up the pressure. Johannes Eggestein forced a brilliant save from Robin Zentner in the 25th minute, while Afolayan and Jackson Irvine both came close to scoring. However, Mainz's defence, led by the impressive Moritz Jenz, stood strong. The visitors' goalkeeper Zentner was in fine form, making several crucial saves to maintain his team's two-goal advantage. Despite St. Pauli's dominance in possession and shot attempts, they couldn't find a way through Mainz's resolute defence before the half-time whistle.

The second half began with St. Pauli continuing to push for a goal. Philipp Treu and Eggestein both had opportunities early on, but Mainz's defence remained impenetrable. The visitors' counter-attacking strategy paid off once again in the 62nd minute when Burkardt struck his second goal of the match. The striker showcased his pace and finishing ability, racing past the St. Pauli defence and slotting the ball into the bottom corner. This third goal effectively sealed the victory for Mainz, with their win probability soaring to an astounding 98.9%. Despite St. Pauli's continued efforts, including a close header from Irvine in the 84th minute, they couldn't break through Mainz's defensive wall.

As the final whistle blew, Mainz emerged victorious with a 3-0 win, showcasing their clinical finishing and defensive solidity. The result was a testament to their efficiency, having scored three goals from just eight shots. St. Pauli, despite their 57 percent possession and 17 shots, couldn't find a way past Zentner, highlighting their struggles in front of goal. The win marked Mainz's second of the season and extended their unbeaten away run to seven Bundesliga matches. For St. Pauli, the defeat was a harsh reminder of the challenges they face in the top flight, despite their recent victory over Freiburg.

Jonathan Burkardt was undoubtedly the standout performer in this match. The Mainz striker's brace was instrumental in securing the victory for his team. Burkardt's first goal, a clever header in the fifth minute, set the tone for the match and showcased his aerial ability. His second goal in the 62nd minute demonstrated his pace and clinical finishing, effectively sealing the win for Mainz. With these two goals, Burkardt has now scored in each of Mainz's last five away games, highlighting his importance to the team's away form. His performance was not just about goals; his movement and link-up play caused constant problems for the St. Pauli defence throughout the match.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: St. Pauli 1.0531 - Mainz 0.7413
Fastest player: Philipp Treu (St. Pauli), 33.96 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz), 24 percent
Most pressed player: Elias Saad (St. Pauli), 32 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Johannes Eggestein (St. Pauli), +2.38

Fantasy Heroes: Phillipp Mwene (Mainz, 281 Points), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz, 275 Points), Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz, 259 Points)