Bayern's eight-goal show in last game at St. Pauli

Long time, no see: FC St. Pauli are back in the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence and entertain FC Bayern at the Millerntor-Stadion on Saturday – the place where the term 'Weltpokalsiegerbesieger' ('beaters of the Intercontinental Cup winners') was coined. An unfortunate 2-1 defeat from a Munich point of view against the then bottom club in February 2002 not only handed the Hamburg side a shock three points, but also some additional income – the success against the defending Intercontinental Cup winners could perfectly be marketed on t-shirts and merchandise.

Bayern's biggest away win to date

However, that's the last time St. Pauli got anything against Bayern. Particularly in their most recent meeting in May 2011, the German record champions reestablished their superiority. At that time, Pauli were bottom of the table and looking to cling onto their slim hopes of survival on the penultimate matchday of the campaign. For the visitors from Munich, meanwhile, it was about securing at least third place and qualification for the Champions League. Not being involved in the competition in the following season, when the final was to be held at the Allianz Arena for the first time, was unthinkable – and Bayern played like it. The final score was more one-sided than ever before in an FCB Bundesliga away game.

"St. Pauli had to win to stand any chance, which suited us and our style of play because they had to be a bit more attacking," explained Mario Gómez at full time. The striker put his side in front early on in Hamburg (10th minute) and went on to score a hat-trick with goals number 26 and 27 of the season, ending any doubt about who would be crowned top goalscorer that year. It was hard work to begin with for the visitors, mind. "St. Pauli were fighting for their last chance," said FCB interim coach Andries Jonker. "It only got easy after 3-0."

Gómez, van Buyten, Robben and Ribéry score

After Daniel van Buyten made it 2-0 on 32 minutes, the aforementioned third goal came shortly after the restart, again from Gómez (52'). Arjen Robben (55') promptly added the next, before the floodgates opened in the closing stages, with Franck Ribéry (75'), Robben (84'), Gómez (86') and finally Ribéry again (88') finding the net. The goal from Marcel Eger to make it 5-1 amongst that was just cosmetic as Bayern recorded their biggest away win in the Bundesliga to date. To this day, the record champions have not managed to score eight goals on their travels again.

"You saw what we're capable of when we take the lead early and the opponents have to open up a bit," summarised Philipp Lahm after the goal fest, which confirmed St. Pauli's relegation. "We even had a few chances more than the eight that we scored." The Kiezkicker's only goalscorer on the day was therefore dejected in front of his own fans. "We're sorry," said Eger – but did show some dark humour. "The fans still had fun, though. They did see nine goals."

The other facts ahead of the match: