City target Marmoush comes to Frankfurt's rescue, Mainz continues impressive run

Eintracht Frankfurt secured a narrow victory over FC Sankt Pauli on Saturday, thanks to Bundesliga top scorer Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian, reportedly targeted by Manchester City, scored his 15th goal of the season, surpassing Harry Kane on the top scorers list.

SoccerDino, Website Writer
Published: 04:57, 11 Jan 2025

Eintracht Frankfurt secured a vital 1-0 victory over FC Sankt Pauli in Hamburg, bringing an end to a disappointing spell of four losses in their previous five matches across all competitions.

As the Bundesliga's third-placed team, this win marked their first since early December and provided a much-needed boost to their campaign. The decisive moment came from Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who continued his scintillating form this season. Marmoush, formerly a striker for Sankt Pauli, found the net just over half an hour into the match, expertly curling the ball into the top left corner after capitalizing on a deflected cross. This strike brought his tally to 15 goals for the season, putting him ahead of Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, who has 14. The timing of Marmoush’s goal proved pivotal, as Sankt Pauli struggled to muster a meaningful response, and Frankfurt’s defense held firm to secure the narrow victory. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, is set to face Borussia Mönchengladbach later on Saturday evening, which could see Kane attempt to reclaim his spot atop the scoring charts.

FSV Mainz 05 continued their remarkable resurgence as they resumed their Bundesliga campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over VfL Bochum. After finishing in 13th place last season, Mainz now finds itself unexpectedly in fourth, showcasing one of the best turnarounds in the league. Their victory against Bochum extended their strong form, marking their sixth win in their last seven Bundesliga matches. Jonathan Burkardt was the star of the show, opening the scoring after just 20 minutes with a clinical finish and doubling his tally just past the hour mark to seal the win. Mainz displayed a disciplined and organized performance, neutralizing Bochum’s attempts to mount a comeback. Despite the introduction of Dani de Wit and Myron Boadu as substitutes for Bochum, they failed to break through Mainz’s solid defensive setup. The victory highlighted Mainz’s transformation into a formidable side capable of challenging for European qualification, a stark contrast to their struggles last season.

SC Freiburg kicked off 2025 with an exciting 3-2 victory over Holstein Kiel in a match that was closer than it initially appeared. Playing at the Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg looked to be in full control for much of the game. The breakthrough came courtesy of an own goal by Nicolai Remberg, which gave Freiburg an early lead. Before halftime, Christian Günter doubled the advantage, seemingly setting the stage for a comfortable victory. Freiburg further extended their lead in the second half when Vincenzo Grifo scored after being set up by former Eredivisie standout Ritsu Doan. However, Holstein Kiel staged a dramatic late comeback, with Phil Harres scoring twice in quick succession during the final minutes to narrow the deficit to 3-2. Despite the pressure, Freiburg held on for the win, moving up to sixth in the Bundesliga standings. The match served as a reminder of Freiburg’s attacking strengths but also highlighted the need for defensive stability as they look to maintain their position in the top half of the table.

Heidenheim pulled off a 2-0 victory over Union Berlin in a match that presented significant challenges for the visitors. The game began poorly for Union Berlin, as they conceded after just 15 minutes when defender Frans Kratzig scored for Heidenheim. The situation worsened in the 37th minute when Union Berlin’s Tom Rothe was sent off with a red card, forcing his team to play with ten men for the remainder of the match. Heidenheim capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Adrian Beck adding a second goal in the closing stages to secure the win. Former PSV player Yorbe Vertessen came on as a substitute for Union Berlin, but his introduction had little impact on the outcome. The victory was a significant boost for Heidenheim, while Union Berlin continues to face challenges in their campaign.

VfL Wolfsburg earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Hoffenheim in an important away match. The decisive goal came in the 29th minute when Algerian forward Mohamed Amoura rose to meet a corner from Maximilian Arnold, delivering a perfectly placed header into the back of the net. Wolfsburg’s disciplined performance ensured they maintained their narrow lead throughout the game, frustrating Hoffenheim’s efforts to find an equalizer. The win lifted Wolfsburg to ninth in the Bundesliga standings, highlighting their steady progress this season. Hoffenheim, however, remains in a precarious position, sitting just above the relegation zone in 15th place. This result emphasizes the contrasting fortunes of the two sides as Wolfsburg continues to climb while Hoffenheim faces a battle to secure their top-flight status.

Updated: 04:57, 11 Jan 2025