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On Monday, February 22, 2010, league leaders 1. FC Kaiserslautern welcomed their closest rivals from St. Pauli at the Betzenberg. The 43,687 crowd at the Fritz Walter Stadium saw a thrilling game full of action and pace as the league’s best defense faced the best attacking force of the league in a top of the table clash under floodlights.

Both coaches kept faith with their starting line-ups from last week. That was little surprise in the case of Marco Kurz’s side that displayed a strong performance against MSV Duisburg last Monday. The whole FCK camp breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday after team captain Martin Amedick had signalled to be match fit again after a two-day lay-off in consequence of stomach flu. Hence, Kurz was in a position to field an unchanged side, naming Nemec alongside Jendrisek up front with Ilicevic and Sam patrolling the flanks and Bilek and Mandjeck anchoring the midfield. FC St. Pauli coach Holger Stanislawski put his trust in the eleven that drew 0-0 with FSV Frankfurt at home last Friday only replacing Kruse by Takyi in the attacking midfield to inject freshness to his squad.

Once referee Knut Kircher whistled play underway on a cold evening at the Betzenberg, the visibly on-fire home side roared off the blocks with Bugera and Nemec speeding down the right. Unfortunately, the tall striker failed to get the ball under control. However, the visitors displayed their determination to steal points at the Betzenberg as Hennings warmed Sippel’s gloves on 4 minutes, but the Red Devils’ shot-stopper saved capably.  Both teams struggled to find the right way and means to create chances as there was little space at either end. With 13 minutes on the clock, Florian Dick laid on for Nemec in the box just to see his team-mate shooting wide. Two minutes later, Sam and Jendrisek performed a nice give-and-go but Sam did not find his way through the visitors’ deep-lying defense.

However, the home side had the better of the chances. The action hotted up as Amedick fired a cannoning header from a Bugera corner-kick against the crossbar. Seconds later, Nemec forced Hain to perform a stunning reaction save (18). The hosts were in control of the happenings on the field of play now. On 20 minutes, Sidney Sam put his team in the lead as he capitalized on brilliant work by Dick who fed the German Under-21 national player with a clear-cut cross from the left. FCK shot-stopper Tobi Sipel had little work to do so far and St. Pauli sub Kruse’s attempt after 24 minutes was no challenge at all for the strong man between the posts. The home side continued to dominate at will dropping heavy hints as to why they are at the top of the table with Sam giving his opponents the runaround within the penalty area. Unfortunately, the agile winger’s shot flew wide (26).

Nevertheless, that did not stop him as he fired in the next attempt only a few minutes later. FC St. Pauli goalkeeper Hain, however, saved capably from Sam before he parried a cannoning shot from Ilicevic (36, 37). Six minutes ahead of the half-time interval, Bilek had the great opportunity to add the second goal but his shot was blocked by an opponent. With an entirely merited 1-0 lead, the Red Devils went to their dressing room after 45 minutes.  

The pace dropped a shade after the restart but Sam heralded a new FCK offensive with 51 minutes on the clock as he performed an admirable give-and-go with Jendrisek but the final pass was a bit too long. However, the Red Devils’ attacking force did not die down during the interval as Rodnei thundered a shot from long range on goal only one minute later. Hain was lucky to see the ball fly over the crossbar. As they did not succeed in creating chances, the visitors spiced the game with ruthless fouls and had their first scoring chance from a dead ball situation after 63 minutes as Lehmann fired in a free-kick with the leather cannoning beside the post. That seemed to have shaken the guests awake as they enhanced the pace afterwards.

On 66 minutes, however, Erik Jendrisek trapped the ball in the middle leaving behind his marker and feeding Nemec in the box. However, Nemec missed the ball and failed to convert this brilliant opportunity. After 71 minutes, Kurz replaced Nemec and Ilicevic by Lakic and Steinhöfer. It took less than 60 seconds before FCK’s winter signing Steinhöfer had the ball in the net causing the huge crowd of FCK fans to cheer and celebrate.

It was not over yet as the home side continued to display their attacking mindedness firing in further chances. The Red Devils controlled possession and were only missing the crucial luck as a Lakic shot flew wide (81). Two minutes later, Sam thundered another attempt on goal but missed the target by the fraction of an inch. At the other end, Ebbers had the chance to score the consolation for the visitors but his shot only hit the side-netting while the FCK fans were singing and celebrating on the stands. To make the party perfect, Lakic added the third goal providing for the icing of the cake one minute into stoppage time.