1. Main Players Comparison
Hamburger SV
- Core: Jonas Meffert (DM anchor, leadership), Laszlo Benes (CM, creativity, passing), Miro Muheim (LB, defensive balance).
- Midfield: Nicolás Capaldo (26, new CM, high work rate), Nicolai Remberg (25, CM – energetic box-to-box).
- Attack: Robert Glatzel (31, CF, proven scorer – currently injured), Yussuf Poulsen (31, new CF, experienced Bundesliga finisher).
- Output: Strong additions in central midfield (Capaldo, Remberg) and up front (Poulsen), but key scorer Glatzel sidelined reduces immediate threat.
- Stability: Departures of Reis and Selke weaken depth; defensive line reshaped with Torunarigha & Omari incoming.
St. Pauli
- Core: Hauke Wahl (31, CB, 33 apps – defensive leader), Eric Smith (28, DM/CB, versatile), Nikola Vasilj (29, GK, 33 apps – reliable).
- Midfield: Jackson Irvine (32, CM, 29 apps, 6A – injured), Philipp Treu (24, wide utility, departed), Elias Saad (25, 3G/2A).
- Attack: Johannes Eggestein (27, 3G/4A, departed), Oladapo Afolayan (27, 3G/1A), Morgan Guilavogui (27, 6G/2A – now left).
- Output: Attack weakened with departures (Eggestein, Guilavogui), midfield depth hit by Irvine’s injury.
- Stability: Squad cohesion challenged by exits + multiple injuries across midfield/attack.
2. New Players Comparison
Hamburger SV
- Rayan Philippe (24, RW, speed & dribbling).
- Nicolai Remberg (25, CM, versatile box-to-box).
- Nicolás Capaldo (26, CM, high pressing engine).
- Yussuf Poulsen (31, CF, aerial presence, proven Bundesliga scorer).
- Giorgi Gocholeishvili (24, RB, attacking fullback).
- Daniel Peretz (25, GK, experienced shot-stopper), Fernando Dickes (17, GK, prospect).
- Jordan Torunarigha (27, CB, strong left-footed option), Warmed Omari (25, CB, stability), Joel Agyekum (20, CB, prospect).
- Value: Complete refresh – spine strengthened (Capaldo, Poulsen, Torunarigha), quality depth across defense & attack.
St. Pauli
- Joel Chima Fujita (23, CM, young pivot).
- Morgan Guilavogui (27, AM/FW, 6G/2A – now departed).
- Noah Weißhaupt (23, LM, 13 apps, 1G).
- Louis Oppie (23, LB, depth).
- Jannik Robatsch (20, CB, prospect).
- Andréas Hountondji (22, CF, youth striker).
- Arkadiusz Pyrka (22, RB, pace).
- Mathias Pereira Lage (28, AM, 2G/7A, creativity boost).
- Robert Wagner (21, CM, prospect).
- Value: Pereira Lage stands out as creative reinforcement, rest are mostly prospects/rotational depth.
3. Substitutes Comparison
Hamburger SV
- Sub depth: Peretz (GK cover), Torunarigha/Omari (CB rotation), Philippe (winger impact), Poulsen (rotation with Glatzel), Capaldo/Remberg in midfield.
- Impact: Stronger bench than last season, versatile across lines.
- Sub potential: ~8–10 goals plus improved defensive solidity.
St. Pauli
- Sub depth: Danel Sinani (28, AM, 2G/1A), Elias Saad (25, 3G/2A), Mathias Pereira Lage (creative option), Siebe Van der Heyden (CB).
- Impact: Attacking options thin after exits, but Pereira Lage adds creative spark.
- Sub potential: ~6–8 goals, but injuries limit rotation strength.
4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard
Category | Hamburger SV Rating | St. Pauli Rating |
Main Players | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Strengthened midfield & defense, Glatzel injury hurts) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Solid defense spine, attack weakened by exits & injuries) |
New Players | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Capaldo, Poulsen, Torunarigha standout additions) | ⭐⭐ (Pereira Lage quality, rest developmental) |
Substitutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Balanced bench with depth in all areas) | ⭐⭐ (Thin depth, reliant on limited creators) |
Overall Depth | Reinforced spine, stronger bench than rivals | Hit hard by injuries & exits, midfield lacking leaders |
Key Weakness | Injury to Glatzel reduces scoring output | Multiple injuries (Irvine, Mets, Jones, Nemeth) limit rotation |
5. Injuries & Suspensions (with impact)
Hamburger SV
- Bakery Jatta – Thigh injury (short absence, reduces RW speed).
- Hannes Hermann – Ankle injury (late Sept, depth loss).
- Immanuel Pherai – Knee injury (early Oct, attacking midfielder absent).
- Robert Glatzel – Foot injury (late Sept, top scorer sidelined).
- Silvan Hefti – Strain (mid Sept, RB cover out).
St. Pauli
- David Nemeth – Groin strain (mid Sept, reduces CB cover).
- Jackson Irvine – Broken ankle (short layoff, midfield leader out).
- Karol Mets – Knee injury (early Oct, CB depth lost).
- Ricky-Jade Jones – Dislocated shoulder (early Sept, CF prospect sidelined).
Impact: HSV weakened by Glatzel’s injury but strengthened with Poulsen. St. Pauli hit harder – Irvine, Mets, Nemeth and Jones all out reduce both leadership and squad depth.
6. Predicted Outcome
- Hamburger SV: Strengthened spine with Capaldo, Poulsen, Torunarigha. Despite Glatzel’s absence, squad depth and balance superior.
- St. Pauli: Injury crisis limits midfield stability and attacking power. Pereira Lage adds creativity, but overall depth much thinner.
Likely Result: Hamburger SV 2 – 0 St. Pauli
