Double damper for St. Pauli and HSV – is the derby coming at the wrong time?

First, it turns out differently, and second, than you think. Both Hamburg clubs and their fans had imagined the 28th matchday to be different, completely different. HSV and FC St. Pauli wanted to go into the derby on Friday with victories under their belt and a broad chest. Would, would, would have… wasn’t. Instead of renewed euphoria, there is disillusionment.

The arch-rivals messed up the “dress rehearsals” for the cracker in the Volkspark, second leg for the city championship. Synchronous tripping in Hanseatic style.

HSV and FC St. Pauli lose before the derby

The Kiezkicker couldn’t take advantage of the huge opportunity on Sunday to get within three points of HSV and thus have the chance in a direct duel to draw level on points and finally and officially get involved in the promotion race.

The 2-1 draw against Braunschweig in the sold-out Millerntor Stadium, the first defeat after eleven wins in a row, was an emotional sobering and a clear dampener for all (secret) Bundesliga hopes. It remains six points behind HSV and third place.

Leart Paqarada confident: “Doesn’t matter for Friday”

“That doesn’t matter for Friday,” assured St. Pauli’s co-captain Leart Paqarada. “It’s just a derby. This is independent of the table constellation. The derby never comes at the wrong time.”

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There had also been long faces at HSV the day before. The 0:2 in Kaiserslautern was a sensitive setback in the promotion race, because the Rothosen slipped back to third place and Heidenheim overtook second place.

Tim Walter keeps his head up, as does Marcel Hartel

“We keep our heads up, we stick out our chests, we keep to ourselves,” said HSV coach Tim Walter combatively. Similar words could be heard at St. Pauli. “We have to keep our heads up now,” Marcel Hartel demanded, “and then we’ll go into the derby with 100 percent.” Anything less isn’t allowed – and of course that applies to both sides.