Preview: Trip to the Millerntor | OneFootball

Eintracht travel to FC St. Pauli on Matchday 25, with both sides having picked up momentum recently.

Backdrop

“It goes without saying that we want to win games and close the gap on the European places – that’s where we want to get to,” said Jonathan Burkardt after Sunday’s Bundesliga win at home to Freiburg, adding: “We need to be tidier in our passing game, but you’re seeing with every match what the coach demands of us. We want to keep improving, and then our chance of victory will also be higher.”

The next opportunity for the Eagles to get three points comes in Hamburg on Sunday 8 March, with the away match against St. Pauli at 15:30 CET at the Millerntor-Stadion. “We still have way to go in this season, but I’m optimistic,” said Arnaud Kalimuendo.

In terms of the table, the two teams are in different positions ahead of their meeting on Matchday 25. Eintracht are seventh, while St. Pauli are fighting for survival in 15th place. The Hamburg side are outside the relegation zone for the first time since Matchday 9 following back-to-back wins away to Hoffenheim and at home to Werder Bremen.

Looking back

The Eagles came away with three points from their last visit to the Millerntor, when Omar Marmoush scored the only goal on Matchday 16 of last season. So too in the reverse fixture this season, when a Burkardt brace fired Frankfurt to a 2-0 win at home. “Jonny is a great teammate, he helps the team a lot and we need his qualities,” praised his partner in attack Kalimuendo. “I’m pleased that we’ve quickly struck up a good relationship on and off the pitch. When you get along with someone, your on-field understanding is all the better for it.”

The two clubs have met 23 times in all competitions to date. With 10 wins, eight draws and five defeats, the head-to-head record makes good reading for the Eagles – they want to keep it that way.

The Riera effect

Eintracht have started to get going again since Albert Riera took charge and are hoping that continues, as Robin Koch explained: “The coming weeks are very important for us. Results give you a different self-image. We can hurt and dominate opponents, we are good with the ball and solid defensively as well. We have to take all that into the next matches,” emphasised the captain. 

Riera himself said recently: “I want to improve every individual. If the individual improves, the team improves. If the team improves, the points will come.” With that in mind, it’s off to the Millerntor!