Second division leaders St. Pauli welcome HSV
The 110th Hamburg derby between FC St. Pauli and HSV is not just about prestige and the city championship. The match on Friday (18:30/Sky) is also the top match in the 2nd Bundesliga. Ahead of the explosive and emotionally charged encounter, FC St. Pauli, who are still unbeaten this season, are three points ahead of their rivals and second-placed Hamburger SV.
A win against their neighbors from Volkspark would allow the club from Hamburg's Kiez district to pull away for the time being. If HSV were to win, the two clubs would be level on points.
Despite leading the table, St. Pauli coach Fabian Hürzeler has no intention of playing favorites. After all, he currently has no personnel problems and can rely on the players who have been successful in recent weeks.
His colleague Tim Walter hopes that he will have more alternatives in central defense again. Sebastian Schonlau, who has been injured since the summer, has also recently returned to training with the team. However, it could be too early for him to play at the Millerntor Stadium.
More than 29,000 spectators are expected, including 2,600 HSV fans. The police are deploying a large contingent to prevent possible clashes around the high-risk match. In the stadium, a safety net has been hung in front of the visitors' stand and the fence to the adjacent home section has been raised. There is also a ban on alcohol. Admission is two hours earlier.
FC St. Pauli's unbeaten run in Bundesliga 2 puts them three points ahead of their rivals, Hamburger SV, in the heads-up before the Hamburg derby. Winning this crucial match against HSV would further strengthen St. Pauli's position at the top of the second division table.
Source: www.dpa.com
