FC St. Pauli in Rostock: Knowing what to expect
Second division leaders FC St. Pauli have no intention of being rattled by the expected heated atmosphere in Saturday's emotional match at FC Hansa Rostock (13:00/Sky). "My players know what to expect," said coach Fabian Hürzeler ahead of the clash with the 13th-placed team in the table.
His team cannot influence what happens in the stands, said the 30-year-old on Thursday. In the past, there have been regular riots during and around matches between the Kiezkickers and the Mecklenburgers. During Hansa's last appearance at the Millerntor, the toilets in the north stand were vandalized, among other things. There were also injuries.
Hamburg, who are unbeaten so far, want to draw positive elements for their game from the atmosphere, which according to Hürzeler "generates an enormous amount of energy", and concentrate on the action on the pitch. However, memories of their last appearances at the Ostseestadion are not the best. Hansa won 2-0 in the previous series and 1-0 the season before that.
Hamburg have no problems in terms of personnel. International players Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (both Australia) and Manolis Saliakas (Greece) have returned safely from their international trips. Estonian Karol Mets, who suffered a knock to his ankle in training on Wednesday, is fit again.
In Rostock, Hürzeler also has a difficult personal task ahead of him. The sometimes quick-tempered St. Pauli coach has already seen three yellow cards. Should he receive a fourth in the Ostseestadion, he would be suspended for the next match. And that would be the city derby against Hamburger SV on December 1.
FC St. Pauli, currently leading Bundesliga 2, will face a challenging atmosphere in their match against FC Hansa Rostock in Bundesliga 2. Despite this, coach Fabian Hürzeler assures that his team is prepared, having experiences of the heated rivalry between the two clubs. In a previous encounter, FC Hansa Rostock managed to defeat FC St. Pauli 2-0.
Source: www.dpa.com
