The Bundesliga curtain-raiser features a tantalising showdown as Borussia Dortmund head to Hamburg to face St. Pauli at the vibrant Millerntor-Stadion. Dortmund arrive buoyed by a strong finish to last season and a successful stint at the Club World Cup TalksportReuters. Still, coach Niko Kovač has his work cut out amid defensive concerns—Niklas Süle is sidelined for two months with a calf injury, while Nicolás Schlotterbeck also remains doubtful Reuters.
St. Pauli, under Alexander Blessin, remain a defensive force—conceding only 41 goals last term, second only to Bayern Munich Fear The Wall. Goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj stands out, his extraordinary shot-stopping significantly helping the Pirates stay afloat.
Dortmund’s injury woes deepen with doubts over Yan Couto and Ryerson, though Couto is making promising strides in training Reuters. With Guirassy maintaining his scoring form, Dortmund look to assert early dominance. However, St. Pauli’s disciplined defence and fervent home atmosphere could pose a serious test for the visitors.
