Hamburger SV and St. Pauli face off in a crucial Bundesliga derby, both seeking their first win of the season. Hamburg aims to leverage its historical advantage, while St. Pauli hopes to build on its comeback draw against Dortmund. Key defensive players are expected to feature for both sides, setting the stage for a tense and closely contested match.
The Volksparkstadion is set to ignite on Friday as Hamburger SV and St. Pauli, two of Hamburg's fiercest rivals, clash in a highly anticipated Bundesliga derby. Both teams are hungry for their first victory of the campaign, adding extra spice to this already intense encounter.
Hamburger SV, currently sitting in 11th place, began their Bundesliga journey with a hard-fought goalless draw against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 24th. While their defense stood firm, they'll be eager to find the back of the net against their city rivals. St. Pauli, just two spots above them in ninth, enter the match brimming with confidence after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund. Their comeback from two goals down showcased their fighting spirit and attacking potential.
Hamburg's path to this derby hasn't been smooth. While they secured a 2-1 victory against Pirmasens in the DFB-Pokal, consistency has eluded them. Defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern, with only two clean sheets in their last eight competitive matches. Their pre-season form was also patchy, marked by four defeats. However, the Red Shorts will be banking on their historical edge in this derby, having won two and drawn one of their last three encounters with St. Pauli this decade, although their last Bundesliga face-off was back in 2011.
St. Pauli, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their impressive comeback against Dortmund. Their attacking woes from last season, where they managed just 28 goals, seem to have been addressed, as evidenced by their three-goal salvo. However, their defensive stability, which was a hallmark of their previous campaign under Alexander Blessin, deserted them in that opener. They boast the second-best defensive record in the Bundesliga last season, conceding only 41 goals, a testament to their organized backline. Their summer form was encouraging, with four wins and a draw in five friendlies, and they also advanced in the DFB-Pokal, albeit after a penalty shootout.
Historically, St. Pauli has shown resilience on the road, losing only once in their final five Bundesliga away matches last spring. This ability to frustrate opponents on their travels will be crucial as they aim to silence the vociferous home crowd at the Volksparkstadion.
Looking at the team news for Hamburger SV, defenders Warmed Omari, Daniel Elfadli, and Jordan Torunarigha are expected to retain their starting spots after impressing against Gladbach. In midfield, Nicolai Remberg and Nicolas Capaldo are likely to partner up due to Immanuel Pherai's unavailability. On the wing, Emir Sahiti is set to continue on the right, with Bakery Jatta's thigh issue keeping him sidelined.
For St. Pauli, Hauke Wahl, Eric Smith, and Adam Dzwigala are anticipated to form the back three, with David Nemeth ruled out. James Sands and Joel Chima Fujita are expected to anchor the midfield, while Danel Sinani could be pushed forward to provide additional attacking impetus. Mathias Pereira Lage and Andreas Hountondji, who led the line against Dortmund, will be hoping to continue their partnership.
The conclusion is that this Hamburg derby promises to be a fiercely contested affair. St. Pauli's defensive stability will be tested, while Hamburger SV will need to overcome their home form inconsistencies. With both sides desperate for their first win, a hard-fought draw appears to be the most probable outcome. The game will be won and lost in the midfield and which ever team can dominate the midfield will take the bragging rights.
This is more than just a game; it's a battle for city supremacy.