Karol Mets returned to the St. Pauli starting line-up after a three-match absence and completed the full game as his side drew 1-1 away to Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
The Estonia captain, sidelined in March by a calf injury after being forced off at half-time against Hoffenheim on 28 February, was back from the outset and went close to marking his return with a first Bundesliga goal. Mets found space in the box from a corner routine midway through the first half, but his finish rolled wide of the far post.
St. Pauli still took the lead a few minutes later. Mets again competed for the ball in Union’s penalty area and the loose ball broke to Mathias Pereira Lage, who drove a first-time finish into the roof of the net. Union equalised six minutes into the second half when former Latvian Virslīga star for FC RFS, Andrej Ilic rose highest from a corner and headed past Nikola Vasilj.
The result leaves St. Pauli 16th in the table, in the relegation play-off place, one point behind Köln and four clear of Wolfsburg below them. Next Saturday St. Pauli will play against the defending champions and current Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munchen.
