There’s plenty to look forward to when VfB play their second Bundesliga home match of the season on Matchday 4: Friday-night lights, another electric atmosphere, and a sold-out MHP Arena as they bid for the points against FC St. Pauli (kick-off 20:30 CEST).
Pauli solid at the back
“Even though it’s still the beginning of the season, there’s a certain significance and importance to this game,” said head coach Sebastian Hoeneß. “On the one hand in terms of our league position, but primarily it’s about how we perform. We didn’t play the way we wanted to in Freiburg [a 3-1 defeat]. We’ve analysed that. We need to quickly improve in a number of areas: being brave, showing aggression, intensity, energy, opening up spaces and covering every blade of grass.”
Hoeneß added that his players have shown the necessary focus in training over the past few days, but that it will be crucial to set the tone from the outset against St. Pauli, who travel to Cannstatt in fine form.
The Hamburg-based outfit have hit the ground running in the Bundesliga this term and are unbeaten following two wins and a draw. The key to their success has been a robust defence; last season they only conceded 41 goals, which was the second-best record in Germany’s top flight.
That has continued into 2025/26, with Pauli letting in just four goals in their first three league assignments. “They’ve got a good mixture and structure in their game and they’re very compact,” said Hoeneß, whose players will need to find ways to break the visitors’ resistance.
Ameen Al-Dakhil returns
There was positive news on the personnel front, as Ameen Al-Dakhil has recovered from injury and has been taking part in full training, meaning he is available for selection once more.
Luca Jaquez completed most of the team’s sessions this week after suffering a broken nose, but Friday’s game comes too soon for him to feature. Deniz Undav, Leonidas Stergiou, Justin Diehl and Silas are all still absent.
