Heidenheim inflict defeat on misfiring St.Pauli in their Bundesliga opener

Making their return to the Bundesliga for the first time in over a decade, St.Pauli hosted FC Heidenheim to conclude the opening matchday of the 2024-25 Bundesliga. Second-half goals from Paul Wanner and Jan Schöppner secured a 2-0 win for the visitors.

A raucous reception greeted both sides as they stepped out onto the lush Millerntor grass carpet this afternoon. The visitors made the livelier start with Adrian Beck and Paul Wanner threatening, but Conor Metcalfe came closest to scoring in the opening quarter of action. The Australian’s effort fizzed past the left upright and hit the stanchion. 

The game continued in a tense and cagey manner with tackles flying in from both teams. Each of of Lennard Maloney, Jackson Irvine and Robert Wagner received yellow cards. Metcalfe managed to test Kevin Müller with his second attempt, but the experienced keeper would not be outfoxed. Heidenheim largely lived off scraps and linked up well in midfield, but the final pass often went awry on attack.

St.Pauli started where they left off as the second-half began, with Eric Smith’s pinpoint freekick headed wide by Morgan Guilavogui. Lars Rizka blazed over next from Eggestein’s cross. Meanwhile, Leo Scienza finally tested Vasilj in the St.Pauli goal. Tension began to grow around the stands as chances continued to be spurned by the hosts. 

Sure enough, Heidenheim fired themselves into a 1-0 lead. Countering on a St.Pauli corner, Conteh fed Pieringer who reversed play to Wanner. The Austrian drilled inside the lower left post. Roger Schmidt’s side started to grow in confidence in the final quarter. A second goal arrived in the 82nd-minute as Jan Schöppner bundled home a Mathias Honsak corner at the back post. An impressive afternoon for Heidenheim despite the departure of multiple key players from last season.