ASVEL Vs Baskonia

Borussia Dortmund will look to rediscover their winning form when they host newly-promoted St Pauli at Signal Iduna Park this Friday. The match marks Dortmund’s seventh Bundesliga fixture of the 2024-25 season, and Nuri Sahin’s side is keen to bounce back after a disappointing loss in their previous encounter against Union Berlin.

Currently sitting seventh in the Bundesliga standings with 10 points, Dortmund is eager to recover from their 2-1 defeat on October 5th. Despite a promising start under their new manager Sahin, recent results have seen them struggle to maintain consistency. Meanwhile, St Pauli, occupying 15th place, is battling to find their footing in the league after earning just four points from their first six matches. As they prepare to visit the intimidating Signal Iduna Park, St Pauli will be hoping to steer clear of further relegation troubles.

A Season of Highs and Lows for Dortmund

Dortmund’s start to the 2024-25 campaign was filled with optimism as Nuri Sahin, the former club captain and midfielder, took charge of the team. The Turkish tactician’s arrival had an immediate impact, with BVB securing four wins in their first five league outings. This strong start positioned them as early contenders to challenge the likes of Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen for the Bundesliga crown.

However, despite the initial success, cracks have begun to show in Dortmund’s armor. They have now lost two of their last four league matches, including a demoralizing 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart on September 22nd. This heavy loss to Stuttgart exposed vulnerabilities in Dortmund's defense, leading to questions about the team’s ability to sustain their form under Sahin.

While Dortmund managed to regroup with two consecutive victories following the Stuttgart debacle, including a 7-1 thrashing of Celtic in the UEFA Champions League on October 1st, their momentum was halted once again by Union Berlin. The 2-1 loss to Union was a particularly frustrating one for Sahin, as his team struggled to assert themselves in the first half and displayed defensive lapses that gifted their opponents control of the game.

Reflecting on the defeat, Sahin expressed disappointment in his side’s lackluster performance during the first half. “We gave them too much space and let them dominate the game,” he said. “Our defensive structure wasn’t where it needed to be, and that cost us dearly.” Dortmund’s inability to tighten up at the back has been a recurring theme in recent weeks, with the team conceding 11 goals and scoring 10 in their last five Bundesliga matches. This inconsistency has left fans concerned about their chances of mounting a serious title challenge this season.

Despite these struggles, Dortmund still boasts an impressive home record. Signal Iduna Park has been a fortress for BVB, with the team winning eight of their last nine home matches across all competitions. During this period, they have scored 32 goals and conceded only nine, a testament to their attacking prowess and the intimidating atmosphere created by their passionate fanbase. However, maintaining this form against St Pauli will be crucial if Sahin’s men are to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

St Pauli’s Struggles in the Top Flight

On the other side of the pitch, St Pauli enters this clash with the weight of relegation fears looming large. The newly-promoted side has endured a tough start to life back in the Bundesliga, sitting just one place above the relegation playoff spot occupied by Hoffenheim. After six matchweeks, they have collected a mere four points, leaving them in 15th place and in desperate need of a positive result against a much stronger Dortmund side.

St Pauli’s recent form has been far from encouraging. Their 3-0 defeat to Mainz on October 5th marked their fourth loss of the season, a game in which they struggled to convert their opportunities. Despite having 19 shots, they failed to create any clear-cut chances, while Mainz capitalized on their defensive vulnerabilities by scoring three goals from just eight attempts. St Pauli’s inability to capitalize on their own attacking moves while remaining vulnerable at the back has been a key factor in their early-season struggles.

Manager Alexander Blessin had hoped that his side had turned a corner after back-to-back solid performances in late September. A goalless draw against RB Leipzig, followed by a 3-0 victory over Freiburg, suggested that St Pauli was beginning to adapt to the demands of top-flight football. However, their dismal performance against Mainz brought them crashing back down to reality. Blessin’s men must now regroup quickly if they are to avoid a fifth defeat in their first seven matches.

One of the most glaring issues for St Pauli this season has been their lack of firepower in front of goal. With only four goals scored in six matches, they have the joint-worst attacking record in the Bundesliga, tied with Augsburg. The newly-promoted side has found it difficult to break down opposition defenses, and their reliance on set-pieces and counter-attacks has yielded little success thus far. Moreover, they have struggled to sustain their intensity throughout the full 90 minutes, with six of the nine goals they have conceded coming in the second half of matches.

Their away form provides little cause for optimism either. St Pauli has lost two of their three away fixtures this season, and their record on the road during their last stint in the Bundesliga back in 2010-11 offers further concern. In that campaign, they lost 11 of their 17 away games, a pattern that seems to be repeating itself in their current return to the top flight. Signal Iduna Park, with its electric atmosphere, will be one of the toughest venues St Pauli will visit this season, and the odds are stacked heavily against them securing a result.

Tactical Insights: Sahin vs. Blessin

Tactically, Friday’s clash presents an intriguing battle between two young and ambitious managers. Nuri Sahin, known for his deep understanding of the game from his playing days, has sought to implement an attractive, possession-based style at Dortmund. Under his guidance, BVB has looked to dominate the ball and press high up the pitch, relying on quick transitions and overlapping full-backs to create scoring opportunities. Players like Julian Brandt, Donyell Malen, and Giovanni Reyna have thrived in this system, contributing to Dortmund’s fluid attacking play.

However, Sahin’s approach has also left Dortmund vulnerable to counter-attacks, particularly when the team commits too many players forward. This was evident in their losses to Stuttgart and Union Berlin, where their opponents were able to exploit the space left behind Dortmund’s high defensive line. Against St Pauli, Sahin will need to ensure that his side maintains defensive discipline while continuing to play their natural attacking game.

For Alexander Blessin and St Pauli, the focus will likely be on frustrating Dortmund by setting up defensively and hitting them on the break. Blessin has favored a compact 5-4-1 formation in recent weeks, designed to limit the space available to opposition attackers and force them into wide areas. However, this approach has not always been successful, as St Pauli’s defense has often been breached, particularly in the latter stages of matches.

Going forward, St Pauli will look to capitalize on any mistakes Dortmund makes in possession. Quick counter-attacks and set-pieces could provide their best chance of nicking a goal against a Dortmund side that has been shaky at the back. Blessin will be hoping that his players can find the same energy and resilience they showed in their win over Freiburg if they are to leave Signal Iduna Park with any points.

Key Players to Watch

For Borussia Dortmund, all eyes will be on the likes of Julian Brandt and Donyell Malen, who have been instrumental in the team’s attacking play this season. Brandt, in particular, has emerged as a creative force in the midfield, regularly providing assists and chipping in with goals. Meanwhile, Malen’s pace and ability to stretch defenses have made him a constant threat to opposition backlines.

In defense, the experience of Mats Hummels will be crucial in helping Dortmund stay organized at the back. The veteran center-back has seen it all in his long career and will be tasked with keeping St Pauli’s forwards at bay, particularly on counter-attacks and set-pieces.

For St Pauli, their hopes of causing an upset will likely rest on the shoulders of their key playmaker, Marcel Hartel. The midfielder has been a bright spot for the team this season, creating chances with his vision and technical ability. If Hartel can orchestrate St Pauli’s attacks and find space between Dortmund’s defensive lines, they may have a chance to exploit any gaps in the home side’s backline.

Prediction

With both teams desperate for a positive result, this encounter promises to be an exciting one. Dortmund will undoubtedly be the favorites, given their superior squad quality and home advantage. However, St Pauli’s underdog status could make them a dangerous opponent, especially if they can frustrate Dortmund’s attack and stay disciplined defensively.

Ultimately, Dortmund’s firepower and attacking options should prove too much for St Pauli to handle. Expect Sahin’s side to come away with a comfortable win, but St Pauli may still put up a fight and make things difficult for the home side in the early stages of the match.