AUDIO: St. Pauli Coach Blessin: “I would have liked more vigor and gallantry” (3 min)
Bundesliga
As of: January 23, 2026 11:35 p.m
FC St. Pauli and HSV drew 0-0 in the 113th Hamburg city derby. In the Millerntor Stadium, which was sold out with 29,546 spectators, notable penalty area scenes were rare on Friday evening. Both teams remain in the bottom of the Bundesliga table.
Especially for St. Pauli, which is in the A 2-0 win at HSV in the first half of the season celebrated, the draw was actually not enough. Coach Alexander Blessin’s team improved at least temporarily to 16th place, but could fall back to last place if 1. FSV Mainz 05 and 1. FC Heidenheim win points. Despite their precarious position in the table, the home side did not invest enough in the game for a long time. It was only in the final phase that they had two good chances to score against the previously slightly better HSV.
St. Pauli coach Blessin: “Not enough came from us”
Table of Contents
- 1. St. Pauli coach Blessin: “Not enough came from us”
- 2. No chances before the break – Pyrka with a header gap
- 3. Vuskovic with a great chance to take the HSV lead
- 4. St. Pauli is pushing for victory in the final phase
- 5. Why did the Hamburg derby between St. Pauli and HSV end in a goalless draw?
- 6. Long-Winded Hamburg City Derby: St. Pauli and HSV Split Goalless
- 7. Tactical Battle at the Millerntor
- 8. Key Moments and Missed Chances
- 9. The Impact of the Draw
- 10. Historical Context: A Derby Defined by Passion
- 11. Fan Reactions and Post-Match Analysis
- 12. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for St. Pauli and HSV?
“In the end, you never know what the point is for. But it’s clear that everyone can read the table and that three points would have been very important for us because it was a direct duel and we would have liked to have gotten closer. Unfortunately, we missed that today,” said St. Pauli defender Hauke Wahl to NDR. Looking at the level of play in the game, he said: “It wasn’t a good derby.”
Wahl’s coach Alexander Blessin was even clearer. “I would have liked a little more vigor and gallantry,” said the 52-year-old. He freely admitted: “I’m angry because the game wasn’t good. Overall, there wasn’t enough of us today.”
“It wasn’t a good derby today.”
St. Pauli defender Hauke Wahl
The mood of HSV coach Merlin Polzin was completely different. “I have rarely seen such a performance by a Hamburg team here, in terms of the control and the carefree attitude to play the thing down here,” he enthused. His team showed a “controlled performance,” said the 35-year-old. What dampened his mood a little was just the bare result. Because: “There were enough chances that would have been enough to score a goal. There simply has to be more. These are the moments that you have to take advantage of in a derby. As far as the result is concerned, we are therefore disappointed today.”
No chances before the break – Pyrka with a header gap
Football highlights were few and far between in the duel between the Bundesliga’s two most unsuccessful attacking lines in the first half. Neither HSV (17 goals in the previous 17 games) nor St. Pauli (16 goals in 17 games) were able to deliberately carry the ball into the opponent’s half. Lots of cross and bad passes characterized the action – garnished with a few long balls to nowhere. Significant opportunities? There wasn’t!
A shot by visiting veteran Bakery Jatta from a narrow offside position, which keeper Nikola Vasilj was able to parry anyway (23′), as well as perhaps the strangest header attempt in derby history by Arkadiusz Pyrka were the only offensive scenes worth mentioning before the break.
St. Pauli’s right-back was completely free after a perfect cross from Mathias Pereira Lage in the 31st minute and would normally have easily put the ball into the goal from a few meters. But in this important game of all times, the 30-year-old completely lacked timing. He only jumped up when the playground equipment had already flown past him. The hole in the air that was previously only known in football after missing the ball with his foot, the Pole had headed it.
When Pyrka involuntarily achieved something strange, Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit’s working day had long since ended. The 19-year-old HSV attacker, who was somewhat surprising for Jean-Luc Dompé in the starting line-up, had to be substituted in the 14th minute. He hobbled off the pitch with his right ankle heavily bandaged. The reason: Adam Dzwigala had a hard start shortly before. The Pole received a yellow card for this, although it had a slight red tinge to it.
With the exception of this superfluous foul, which occurred at the halfway line, there were hardly any boundary violations in the duels. A very pleasing aspect in a city derby that was very unpleasant in terms of football before half-time. Anyone who wanted to find something positive about the teams’ performances over a non-alcoholic beer during the break (keyword: high-risk game) could enjoy their defensive performance.
Vuskovic with a great chance to take the HSV lead
The fans then had to wait a whopping 25 minutes for the second half to begin. The reason: the fans. Because supporters of both clubs set off pyrotechnics, so that thick fog passed through the Millerntor. When the view was clear again and the restart sounded, there was actually the first goal chance of the game. After a long corner kick, Luka Vuskovic was free to head the ball in the six-yard box, but his unplaced finish was denied by St. Pauli keeper Vasilj (54′).
The home team also tried to intensify their offensive game. Substituting the lightning-fast Ricky-Jade Jones for the ineffective Martijn Kaars also brought more dynamism to the neighborhood club’s game. However, St. Pauli found footballing solutions too rarely against the guests, who were very focused defensively.
St. Pauli is pushing for victory in the final phase
In the final phase, the home team increased the pressure and were suddenly very close to taking the lead. First, Danel Sinani failed with a shot at the far corner past HSV keeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes (79th), shortly afterwards Pyrka found his match in the goalkeeper with a slightly too central finish (81st). There weren’t any more interesting goal area scenes. So in the end it was a fair draw.
“It might have been boring for the spectators. But getting a point here at St. Pauli isn’t bad either,” said HSV midfielder Nicolai Remberg. Ultimately, the clearer and his teammates preferred the sparrow in their hands to the pigeon on the roof on Friday evening. Not that surprising given an away record of three draws and six defeats in nine games.
19th matchday, January 23rd, 2026 8:30 p.m
Vasilj – Dzwigala (65. Irvine), Wahl, Mets – Pyrka, Sands, Smith, Oppie – Fujita – Kaars (46. Jones), Pereira Lage (65. Sinani)
0
Heuer Fernandes – Capal, L. Buscovic,
0
Why did the Hamburg derby between St. Pauli and HSV end in a goalless draw?
Long-Winded Hamburg City Derby: St. Pauli and HSV Split Goalless
The highly anticipated Hamburg derby between St. Pauli and Hamburger SV ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw at the Millerntor-Stadion today, January 24th, 2026. A match steeped in history and local pride,this encounter lived up to its billing as a fiercely contested affair,though ultimately lacking the decisive spark in front of goal. The result leaves both teams with work to do as the bundesliga season progresses.
Tactical Battle at the Millerntor
from the opening whistle, the game was a tactical chess match.St. Pauli, known for their aggressive pressing and energetic style, aimed to disrupt HSV’s build-up play. Manager Timo Schultz opted for a slightly more cautious approach than usual, seemingly wary of HSV’s attacking threat.
HSV,under the guidance of Sebastian Hoeneß,attempted to control possession and dictate the tempo. their midfield trio of Anssi Suhonen, Lászlo Bénes, and Tomáš Ostrák sought to bypass St. Pauli’s press and create opportunities for their forwards, Robert Glatzel and Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer.
However, St. Pauli’s defensive organization, led by captain Philipp Ziereis, proved difficult to penetrate. The Kiezkicker consistently doubled up on HSV’s attackers, forcing them into hurried passes and limiting their space.
Key Moments and Missed Chances
The first half saw few clear-cut chances. Both sides traded blows, but neither could establish a sustained period of dominance. A notable moment came in the 28th minute when St. Pauli’s Lukas Daschner saw his powerful shot blocked by HSV goalkeeper Matheo raab.
The second half continued in a similar vein. HSV increased the pressure, but St. Pauli remained resolute in their defense. Glatzel had a golden possibility in the 65th minute,rising highest to meet a Bénes corner,but his header sailed just wide of the post.
St. Pauli also had their moments on the counter-attack. A swift break in the 78th minute saw Johannes Eggestein release David Amenudo, but his low drive was well saved by raab. The final minutes were tense, with both teams pushing for a winner, but ultimately, the deadlock remained unbroken.
The Impact of the Draw
This draw represents a mixed bag for both clubs. For St. Pauli, a point at home against their arch-rivals is a respectable result, particularly given their recent form. It maintains their position in the top half of the Bundesliga table and keeps them in contention for a European spot. However, they will be disappointed not to have capitalized on home advantage.
For HSV, the draw is a setback in their pursuit of promotion to the Bundesliga. While they remain in a strong position, dropping points against a direct rival is a missed opportunity.The pressure is now on Hoeneß’s side to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
Historical Context: A Derby Defined by Passion
The Hamburg derby is one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in German football. The animosity between St. Pauli and HSV stems from a variety of factors, including geographical proximity, contrasting club cultures, and historical grievances.
* St. Pauli: Represents the working-class, option side of Hamburg, known for its rebellious spirit and passionate fanbase.
* HSV: Traditionally seen as the establishment club,with a larger fanbase and greater financial resources.
matches between the two sides are always characterized by a vibrant atmosphere, intense tackles, and unwavering support from both sets of fans. The derby is more than just a football match; it’s a cultural event that embodies the spirit of Hamburg.
Fan Reactions and Post-Match Analysis
The atmosphere at the Millerntor was electric throughout the match, with both sets of supporters creating a cacophony of noise. Following the final whistle,reactions were mixed. St. Pauli fans celebrated a hard-fought point, while HSV supporters expressed their frustration at the missed opportunity.
Pundits have highlighted the tactical battle as the defining feature of the game. Sky Sport analyst Dietmar Hamann commented,“both managers deserve credit for their tactical approaches. They neutralized each other’s strengths and prevented the game from becoming too open.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for St. Pauli and HSV?
Both St. Pauli and HSV have crucial fixtures on the horizon. St. Pauli travel to face bayer Leverkusen next weekend, while HSV host Karlsruher SC. the results of these matches will be pivotal in shaping their respective seasons. The Nordderby against Werder Bremen looms large for both clubs in the coming weeks, presenting another opportunity to gain valuable points and bragging rights.
