St. Pauli vs. Borussia Dortmund: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Game

Borussia Dortmund must now turn their attentions to the DFB Pokal in hope of salvation among their fans as they take on St. Pauli in the German cup competition.

Following yet another league defeat on Saturday, this time to Hannover at the Westfalenstadion, Jurgen Klopp is running out of time and competitions to salvage something of this season.

Similarly, Thomas Meggle’s squad have struggled in their own right, as the Hamburg side continue to linger around the bottom of the 2.Bundesliga table. A win, it would seem, would suit both sides perfectly.

Here are the key factors to consider before this cup clash.

Dortmund Desperately Need a Cup Win

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When it comes to salvaging something this season Klopp hasn’t got a lot of options. The league title was probably decided long before they fell into this rut in form and despite a commendable, if not perfect start, to their European campaign, the likelihood of a Champions League trophy is still a little far-fetched.

As such, Dortmund and their under-siege manager will undoubtedly have to take to this cup with the desire and professionalism that ensures they at least challenge for it. If they were to lose on Tuesday and get knocked out of this competition, not much else would remain possible for the rest of the season.

St. Pauli Hoping for Turn in Fortunes

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Some solace for Dortmund fans on Tuesday night is available in the fact that they’ll share company with another side who have since seen their domestic league form completely deteriorate.

Despite being one of the more notable teams in the division, St. Pauli have found themselves slump to 16th in the 2.Bundesliga, with just 11 points from their first 11 games.

Like Dortmund, they too will be hoping to galvanise their season when they take a welcome break from their league campaign and throw everything at their opponents in the cup.

Klopp Needs to Shake Things Up

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One could argue that Klopp has done everything he can to turn the tide on this horrendous run of form.

He has changed players, alternated between systems and ultimately played each player in a different position to shake things up, but he hasn’t yet changed the actual formation of the team.

With three strong centre-backs and perhaps only one competent full-back at the moment, Klopp could do worse than to switch to a 3-4-3 and make a further spot available to one of his more attacking players.

St. Pauli Better Home Form

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Dortmund will undoubtedly be troubled by the fact that when St. Pauli have looked decent this season it has been at home, in front of their notoriously rowdy fans.

At the Millerntor-Stadion, the Buccaneers have seen off Eintracht Braunschweig, SV Sandhausen and Union Berlin, while also drawing with league leaders FC Ingolstadt on the opening day of the season.

A win over Dortmund may be just beyond them at this point, but if they are to cause an upset, it’s much more likely to happen at home.