Looking back: Great record against Kiezkicker
VfB have won 11 of their last 13 competitive encounters with St. Pauli, losing just one – a 1-0 reverse in Stuttgart in December 2024. The Cannstatt boys did the double over the Kiezkicker last season, winning 1-0 away and 2-0 at home.
Reunion: Taste of home for Blessin
St. Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin, who was born in Stuttgart, played for VfB’s U21s (17 appearances, nine goals) and first team (10 appearances, one assist) from 1997 to 1999.
Form: VfB with the advantage
VfB have already kept eight clean sheets this season, surpassing their total from the previous campaign (seven). St. Pauli, meanwhile, have the weakest attack in the Bundesliga with 18 goals scored, and have fired blanks in eight games.
Firsts: Demirovic branching out
Ermedin Demirovic’s strike in the 1-0 win over SC Freiburg last weekend was his 50th Bundesliga goal, and his first from outside the penalty area. In the previous meeting with St. Pauli, the forward wore the captain’s armband for the first time and provided a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win.
What the coaches say: Focusing on points
Sebastian Hoeneß: “The first half of the cup game at Leverkusen highlighted St. Pauli’s qualities. The Bundesliga game at home to RB Leipzig also showed that we can expect to come up against a well-organised and hardworking side. A key factor will be defending their quick play up front.”
Alexander Blessin: “They deserved to win at Kiel in the cup. They've won a lot of games recently and will come here feeling confident. With the way they play and the quality they have, they deserve to be challenging at the top. They need every point, but so do we. We'll do everything we can again to take three points at the Millerntor. We have to go to the limit.”
Fans: Strong support at the Millerntor
VfB will be cheered on by at least 2,800 fans in Hamburg.
