Grimaldo touch helps Leverkusen to beat St Pauli 2-1

They have struggled for form so far with new coach Kasper Hjulmand

Bundesliga - Bayer Leverkusen v Eintracht Frankfurt - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - Sept 12, 2025 Fans inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

Bayer Leverkusen needed the magic touch of Alejandro Grimaldo to set up goals for Edmond Tapsoba and Ernest Poku and earn a 2-1 victory at St Pauli on Saturday, maintaining their league-record unbeaten run on the road.

Spain international Grimaldo floated a freekick into the box and Tapsoba pounced on a bad clearance to rifle in from close range for a 25th-minute lead.

Leverkusen, domestic double winners in 2024 and runners-up last season, have struggled for form so far with new coach Kasper Hjulmand demanding more time.

They saw St Pauli bounce back with Hauke Wahl seven minutes later but Grimaldo delivered a perfectly-timed assist for the 21-year-old Poku in the 58th and the Dutchman drilled the ball past keeper Nikola Vasilj to put them back in front.

Leverkusen, who face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, held on to the three points to stretch their undefeated run in away matches in the Bundesliga to 36, and climb to fourth on eight points, seven behind leaders Bayern Munich.