Janssen and Telalović fire Essen past St. Pauli

Rot-Weiss Essen made their DFB Pokal ambitions clear from the start, moving with purpose and precision against a visiting St. Pauli side that struggled to find rhythm in the opening stages. The home team controlled possession and built pressure methodically, forcing their opponents into a reactive shape that invited further threat.

Marius Janssen broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when he finished clinically to put Essen ahead. The goal came as reward for the home side's sustained first-half pressure, and it visibly shifted the balance of the contest. St. Pauli offered little in response before the interval, leaving themselves with work to do in the second half.

The second half brought no comeback attempt. Instead, Suleiman Telalović extended Essen's lead in the 53rd minute, effectively settling the tie just three minutes into the restart. Once two goals ahead and with the away side offering minimal attacking threat, Essen had the luxury of managing the game rather than pushing for more.

St. Pauli never mounted a genuine fightback. Their midfield lacked the spark needed to trouble Essen's defence, and they rarely ventured forward with conviction. Essen, by contrast, remained composed in possession and defensively sound, allowing their opponents few clear chances and moving the ball with intelligence when the opportunity arose.

Aleksandar Pyrka's early yellow card for St. Pauli and Tino Menzel's caution for Essen in the 44th minute had minimal bearing on proceedings. By the closing stages, the contest was effectively over, and both teams managed the remainder without incident. Essen's 2-0 victory sends them into the next round as confident winners, while St. Pauli faces the long journey home with plenty to address.