Fortuna holiday spoiled
Hartel’s brace keeps St. Pauli at the top of the table
January 27, 2024, 10:44 p.m
The people of Düsseldorf come in droves to the Fortuna stadium for the free game, but the leaders of the 2nd Bundesliga spoil the party for them. FC St. Pauli played incredibly confidently – and didn’t let themselves be disturbed by the late goal.
FC St. Pauli also demonstrated strength in the top game of the 2nd Bundesliga and consolidated their lead in the table. Hamburg won 2-1 (2-0) against their pursuers Fortuna Düsseldorf, Marcel Hartel was once again the most important man with a brace. The offensive player converted a hand penalty in the first half (16th) and scored just ten minutes later with a header (26th) – with 20 goals in 19 games he leads the league-wide scorers list. Christos Tzolis (83rd) shortened for Düsseldorf.
St. Pauli, without the suspended head coach Fabian Hürzeler, has now collected 39 points and will also end the 19th matchday as leaders: Holstein Kiel (35), Hamburger SV (34) and SpVgg Greuther Fürth (32) can on Sunday at best shortened, Fürth and Kiel also face each other directly (1.30 p.m./Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker) the points gone. Düsseldorf (31) missed out on the promotion zone due to the defeat.
“That seemed very mature, maybe we even missed the opportunity for a third goal here,” said Andreas Bornemann, St. Pauli’s sports manager, on Sky. He said Hartel had a “sensational season”.
In the second game of the “Fortuna for All” series, the free matchday, FC St. Pauli remained undefeated in the 22nd competitive game of the season. On the day of remembrance of the victims of National Socialism and the large demonstrations against racism in the area around the arena, the audience provided a worthy setting. The Düsseldorf European Championship stadium was full except for twelve seats, which remained empty in memory of the event.
Unfortunate hand penalty
As with the first event against 1. FC Kaiserslautern last October, the demand for tickets for the second free game was high; twice the number of tickets could have been given away. The action arrives in Düsseldorf, the atmosphere in the stadium, which was filled to capacity, was great even before the game. The last free game this season is planned for April against Eintracht Braunschweig. The “Fortuna for All” pilot project will then be evaluated and possibly continued.
Düsseldorf coach Daniel Thioune knew that this special atmosphere could sustain his team. “Especially when the spark spreads from us as a team to the spectators, and vice versa,” said the coach, whose team got into the game well despite major personnel problems, but fell behind early on due to an unfortunate hand penalty that Hartel converted.
The early goal played into the guests’ hands. However, the head coach had contact with the team beforehand and during halftime. His assistant Peter Nemeth coached the unchanged team.