BERLIN, March 9 (Xinhua) -- FC St. Pauli missed the chance to move further clear of the Bundesliga relegation zone after being held to a tense goalless draw by seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt at the Millerntor on Sunday.
Albert Riera's side attempted to stretch play through Nathaniel Brown and Nnamdi Collins from the flanks, but St. Pauli countered with assertive pressing and a flexible defensive structure that alternated between a higher line and a compact block. The contest quickly turned physical and chances were scarce.
The hosts came closest before halftime. In the 24th minute, Mathias Pereira Lage struck the left post from close range after an awkward headed touch from Tomoya Ando following a corner. Seven minutes later, Danel Sinani exchanged passes with Pereira Lage and drove a powerful effort that clipped the opposite upright.
A brief interruption followed when assistant referee Christian Dietz was unable to continue and Eric Weisbach took over on the touchline shortly before the break.
Frankfurt returned with greater urgency after the restart and nearly moved ahead immediately, but Jean-Matteo Bahoya was denied by Nikola Vasilj in a one-on-one situation in the 46th minute.
St. Pauli soon suffered a setback when Manolis Saliakas left injured and Lars Ritzka replaced him. Later Ando escaped a second yellow card after a challenge on Fares Chaibi, prompting coach Alexander Blessin to substitute him for Adam Dzwigala.
Despite controlling 71 percent of possession and completing far more passes, Frankfurt struggled to find clear openings. Jonathan Burkardt's late header proved their only notable attempt, leaving St. Pauli in 16th place while seventh-placed Frankfurt departed with a point. The draw extended Pauli's recent run but their long wait for a victory over Frankfurt goes on.
"I am satisfied. We needed a clean sheet and we managed to prevent conceding, which gives us confidence. With the ball we obviously have to do better, we need to play faster. In the final third we have to take more risks," Frankfurt coach Riera said.
Elsewhere, Werder Bremen secured vital points in the relegation battle after coming from behind, beating 10-man Union Berlin 4-1. Bremen climbed to 13th place with 25 points, moving one point clear of the relegation play-off spot occupied by St. Pauli. Union slipped to 11th on 28 points but remains only four points above the play-off position. ■
