FC St. Pauli

Head coach Fabian Hürzeler: “We started well, had a good structure and our play was good, but we weren’t tidy enough in the final third. It was easy for Kiel to defend. The game eventually gained more momentum and we deserved to go in level at the break. Our second goal came out of the blue, but we were very good after that. We kept our shape well and played some good football and deserved to go 4-1 up, but then we conceded a second from a set piece and things got too wild for my liking. It was no longer the play I want to see and then came the sending-off, which made things even more hectic. I’m satisfied with the result, the second half was very good in part. We were very effective and can build on that, but there’s still lots of things we need to do better and we have to work even more on our game.”

Lukas Daschner: “We made it unnecessarily exciting in the closing stages. We had things under control until the final quarter of an hour in my opinion, but then Kiel built up another head of steam and had more control of the game. Normally we’ve put the game to bed at 4-1 but then we got a bit careless. All in all, they did very well to come back into it and things got a bit heated, but we’re happy to have taken the three points. I’m pleased with my goal and glad I could help the team. We’re as one the pitch and have come together as a team. You can see how determined we are to defend our goal. Our individual performances are much better as well.”

Dapo Afolayan: “I'm glad we got the win in the end, and I'm pleased for the team, especially because it was a clash of two northern sides. It always feels good to win these games - even the way we won it. We came here to take three points back to Hamburg and we did that. We dominated the game, especially in the second half. Kiel were a bit fortunate to get back into the game and my sending-off obviously played into their hands. Apart from that, it was a very good performance from us. When I got the second yellow card, I saw the referee gesture me back onto the pitch. The next minute he sent me off. Maybe the gesture was aimed at someone else, but only the match official can answer that. I’m sorry for the team that I couldn’t help them anymore. It was a crazy match for me personally. I scored, made one, got booked and then I was sent off. I went through everything you can go through in a game, if you so will. But as I say, it’s all about the team and the fact that we won here today!“

Leart Paqarada: “It wasn’t a good performance in the first half and we fell behind. Fortunately, we went in level at the break. We knew we had to step up a gear and were still in with a chance and we took it with an excellent second half showing. There was no need for all the drama after their third goal. When you’re 4-1 up at Kiel, you have to see it through to the end, but the sending-off and the crowd made things hectic again. In the end I was glad to come away with the 4-3 win. We’re eager to get another win and proud to have won 13 games and lost just two in the second half of the season.”

Marcel Rapp (Holstein Kiel head coach): “Congratulations to St. Pauli on the win. We started well, gave little away and got the goal. At the other end, St. Pauli equalised with their first shot on goal. After the interval we had a big chance to go back in front, but instead St. Pauli got the goals. My lads never gave up, though, and pulled it back to 4-3. In the end, however, St. Pauli were more resolute. We put two through our own goal and didn’t score enough today. We’ll focus on our next game now.”

Photos: FC St. Pauli/Witters