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Yusuf Kabadayi scored twice for Schalke 04

Photo: Christof Koepsel / Getty Images

Standstill at the top: In the 2nd Bundesliga, league leaders FC St. Pauli ring in the 24th matchday with a defeat.

Schalke 04 collected important points in the relegation battle thanks to the 3:2 (1:0) over St. Pauli, Hertha BSC gave up a two-goal lead in the 2:2 (2:0) against Holstein Kiel in stoppage time.

Schalke 04 celebrates their third home win in a row - this time against the league leaders.

However, the Gelsenkirchen team doesn't have to thank luck and chance: supported by the home crowd, the club, which started the match day in 14th place, had an increased chance against the favorites St. Pauli.

Connor Metcalfe missed the only real big chance for Hamburg early in the game when the Australian was denied by goalkeeper Marius Müller (10th minute).

The lead for an active S04 was achieved by a loan from FC Bayern Munich: Simon Terodde cleverly let a cross from Thomas Ouwejan pass through in the center.

Behind them, Yusuf Kabadayi ran into the penalty area and the German U20 international took the celebrated lead (44').

As is rarely the case under coach Fabian Hürzeler, St. Pauli subsequently appeared without much control of the game, Kabadayi again dusted off a Terodde shot and celebrated, in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo, the goal that finally decided the game (73').

Elias Saad was able to shorten the score with a deflected shot (89'), Kenan Karaman immediately restored the old gap (90'+2).

With the win, Schalke currently moves up to 13th place, while St. Pauli remains at the top.

Holstein Kiel could have taken advantage of St. Pauli's slip-up.

The fact that the KSV only did this with compromises was also due to a major mistake by Philipp Sander: a far too short back pass in the direction of goalkeeper Timon Weiner became the perfect template for Hertha striker Haris Tabakovic, who went around the Kiel keeper and pushed in to take the lead (17th).

That pleased the hosts, who were now able to pull back and defend the 1-0 lead.

Pál Dárdai's team liked even better that Tabakovic stepped up and scored 2-0 before the break (45').

This was annoying for Kiel, the guests from the north had done more for the game.

This continued after the break, with Hertha repeatedly having opportunities in the counterattacks to make the result even clearer.

Kiel had the more dangerous final offensive, Finn Porath shortened the score with a shot from the edge of the penalty area (81').

When Hertha already thought they were a sure winner, Linus Gechter hit his opponent Patrick Erras on the foot in the penalty area - Timo Becker converted the penalty (90th + 8th).

Kiel's second place in the table is still in danger, Hamburger SV can overtake Osnabrück at the weekend with a win.

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