PLAYER RATINGS | St.Pauli 0-0 Hamburger SV – the Stadtderby ends in a stalemate | OneFootball

Compared to the first meeting between Hamburg and St.Pauli on matchday two, they could not be in two completely different situations. 

Back in August, St.Pauli started the season strongly, while Hamburg were still adjusting to life back in the Bundesliga. Now in January, St.Pauli find themselves in a relegation battle, while Merlin Polzin’s side are sitting in a somewhat comfortable position above the drop zone. 

This change was obvious when the game kicked off with the visitors having most of the possession, but it was obvious that both sides struggled in front of goal with very few chances in the first half (there were only three shots between the two teams). 

There was more attacking intent in the second half, with both sides actually challenging their opponent’s keeper. Luka Vuskovic had HSV’s best chance of the second half when his header was saved by Nikola Vasij, and then the game quieted down again for much of the second 45 with Merlin Polzin’s side seeing most of the ball again. But, in the final 10 minutes, the hosts stepped up their performance and challenged Daniel Heuer Fernandes, but they were unable to break the deadlock. 

The visitors will probably be the team more unhappy with the result as they were never able to make use of their dominance, and in fact, Hamburg’s inability to actually produce quality chances shows again why they are lacking in the attacking front this season. 

St.Pauli:

Nikola Vasilj (5), Hauke Wahl (6), Karol Mets (6), Adam Dzwigala (5), Arkadiusz Pyrka (5), James Sands (6), Eric Smith (5), Joel Chima Fujita (5), Louis Oppie (6), Martijn Kaars (5), Mathias Pereira Lage (5)

Others: Ricky-Jade Jones (5), Danel Sinani (6), Jackson Irvine (5)

Hamburger SV:

Daniel Heuer Fernandes (5), Nicolas Capaldo (6), Luka Vuskovic (7), Jordan Torunarigha (5), Bakary Jatta (5), Fabio Vieira (5), Nicolai Remberg (6), Miro Muheim (6), Ransford Königsdörffer (5), Damion Downs (5), Alexander Røssing (-)

Others: Jean-Luc Dompé (5), Robert Glatzel (5), Rayan Philippe (5), Albert Sambi Lokonga (-)

GGFN Man of the Match: Luka Vuskovic (7)

In a game where there was very little attacking action, Vuskovic showed his talent when he was called upon to easily shut down St.Pauli’s minor chances of attack. Via FotMob, the 18 year old won 82% of his aerial duels, made seven aerial clearances, 12 clearances overall and five recoveries. While on the attacking front, he had the best chance of the half for Hamburg. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan