VfB Stuttgart would like to crown its successful 2024 calendar year with a win against St. Pauli. The reigning second division champions have a strong defense and a harmless offense.
2024 had a lot of ups and downs for VfB. The highs were almost always of a sporting nature and the lows were of a club and sports political nature. While we celebrated a 5-2 win against Leipzig on the pitch, there were protests against the DFL next to the pitch. While the SGE from Frankfurt was shot down by Deniz Undav within 37 minutes, the fans protested against Claus Vogt. The year will definitely be particularly remembered. But before we can celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve, we first have to play against St. Pauli. The newcomer from Hamburg has more or less got the hang of things in the last few weeks. Since the 11th matchday they have remained consistently in 15th place and therefore in the last non-relegation place. By the way, the Kiezkicker coach is an old acquaintance. Alexander Blessin was not only born in Bad Cannstatt, but also wore the jersey with the chest ring nine times between 1997 and 1999. Under his leadership, St. Pauli has one of the best defenses in the league and one of the weakest offenses. So basically the opposite of VfB. That doesn't mean that our defense is the weakest in the Bundesliga or anything like that. But the regular blunders and wobbles are a problem. Especially because Nübel didn't look good when conceding a goal against Heidenheim either. But I also want to hold the rest of our team responsible. Because if it's not bad, then we'll make careless mistakes in the build-up to the game, like the ones against Hoffenheim or Millot last Sunday.
I hope we can correct these mistakes over the winter and that Nübel can regain the self-image of last season. At the same time, you have to say that things are looking much better offensively now. VfB hasn't lost a game since the defeat in Belgrade. In four of these five games they were able to score three times and scored at least 3 goals. Sure, the opponents weren't the cream of the crop, but Heidenheim, Bern and Union are anything but just casual customers. One of the reasons for the offensive renaissance is Nick Woltemade. He scored four goals in the last three competitive games he played in. He doesn't just shine when it comes to finishing. He is very good with the ball and also shines as an assist provider. 2025 could be his year.
Atakan Karazor (ill) and Justin Diehl (muscular injury) join the well-known injured players. While the Turkish international gets his deserved break, it's bitter for Justin Diehl. It felt like he was slowly getting going. The ex-Cologne player should be fit again at the start of the year.
Keitel is rewarded for his development and is allowed in for Karazor. I would be happy to see Al-Dakhil from the beginning. But he will probably lack fitness. Otherwise everything is the same.
VfB Stuttgart finished the annual table with either 62, 63 or 65 points. With a win, VfB would complete its best calendar year since 2003. If they lost, they would be level on points with 2010, although they played one more game back then. The FCSP is a welcome opponent for VfB Stuttgart. In 16 Bundesliga duels they achieved 10 wins, shared the points four times and only had to admit defeat twice. The Kiezkickers have never been able to win at home in the Neckarstadion. Regardless of whether it was the Bundesliga, the 2nd Bundesliga or the DFB Cup, VfB was able to win every home game apart from one. As mentioned above, St. Pauli is very weak offensively. With 14 xG they are at the bottom of the table. But they shouldn't be underestimated, because they were able to beat fifth-placed Freiburg 3-0 away and inflict their only home defeat on Breisgauer. St. Pauli runs a lot and has very little ball possession on average, which is typical for a promoted team.
A viable opponent awaits at the end of the year. I don't expect a high-quality game, but rather a game of patience against a strong defensive opponent. I'm predicting a narrow but deserved 1-0 home win!
To continue listening: Lennart was a guest in the “Before the Game” format of the MillernTon podcast.
Titelbild: © Thomas Niedermueller/Bongarts/Getty Images
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