“We have to be capable of seeing a lead like that through” - Ole Werner reacts to St. Pauli draw | OneFootball

Ole Werner’s side looked set to return to Leipzig with all three points after Yan Diomande’s second-half strike, but a late slip from David Raum inside the penalty area proved costly. The resulting foul allowed Martijn Kaars to salvage a point for the hosts from the spot deep into stoppage time.

Leipzig head coach Ole Werner admitted his side fell short of the required level over the course of the game:

“Overall, it wasn’t an undeserved draw. We made too many errors in the first half and were playing too slowly.  We then improved in the second half and were able to take the lead in what was a close game, where we knew we wouldn’t get many chances. We have to be capable of seeing a lead like that through, or of finishing our chances in transition in order to decide a game.”

David Raum addressed the decisive late incident: 

“I slipped and took him out as a result. Even I have to admit that that’s a penalty.”

The Leipzig full-back also reflected on the overall performance:

“We allowed them too many chances. St. Pauli were very compact at the back and we weren’t able to circulate the ball well. Not everything went the way we’d hoped. The second half was an improvement, but it wasn’t our best performance.”

Christoph Baumgartner, meanwhile, urged his teammates to maintain focus amid a tight race near the top of the table:

“It’s extremely close at the top. The important thing is that we keep at it and take something from our upcoming games. We’re in the top, but we have to continue to consistently pick up points.”

Leipzig will now look to respond on Saturday when they return to the Red Bull Arena to face another relegation-threatened side, with Mainz visiting for a 15:30 CET kickoff.