Welcome back! The Bundesliga decided to ambush us with the classic Friday match at the end of an international break, an old familiar that continues entertain fans, while taking our writers by surprise, forcing others to step in and cover match previews for them.
The visitors tomorrow will be one of Germany’s most historic clubs, St. Pauli. It has been a long time since the two clubs faced off in proper league play; the last matchup in the Bundesliga was on February 19th, 2011, although they’ve played twice in the Pokal since then (with St. Pauli knocking out BVB in 2022). Tomorrow’s game will also be the first match between the two clubs to take place in Dortmund since then. In case you’re wondering, BVB won that game 2-0, with one goal assisted by none other than Nuri Sahin.
So far in the season, St. Pauli have lived up to status as Bundesliga newcomers with a rather dismal 1-1-4 record. They’ve scored an equally pitiful four goals across their first six games, even fewer than the 0-1-5 VfL Bochum.
Player to Watch: Jackson Irvine
If you know anything about St. Pauli’s history, then you’d know that a mustachioed, tattoo-riddled, and incredibly photogenic Australian “Hipster King” becoming their (and Australia’s) captain is the stuff of destiny.
I discussed in my intro St. Pauli’s lack of offensive threat. Elias Saad, who will miss tomorrow’s game with an ankle injury, has two goals and two assists. The rest of the squad combined… also has two goals and two assists.
So don’t expect Jackson Irvine to stack up goals, but his importance to the team cannot be overstated.
Lineup Prediction
The injuries in Dortmund are really adding up. Yan Couto, Julien Duranville, and Karim Adeyemi will be out against St. Pauli, while Maximilian Beier and Julien Ryerson are ill and are questionable. Niklas Süle was sick as well, although it sounds like he’s recovered.
If it’s true that both Couto and Ryerson will be out, then BVB will be severely undermanned at full-back. One solution would be to play Niklas Süle at right-back while Ramy Bensebaini plays at left-back. Alternatively, Nuri Sahin could choose a back-three with Anton, Süle, and Schlotterbeck. On the wing, Sahin doesn’t have many options other than Gittens or Malen, with Adeyemi, Duranville, and potentially Beier out.
Your Thoughts
Do you think that BVB will be able to overcome St. Pauli’s heavy-hitting attack, or failing that, an Australian with a mustache?
