Overview
- Both coaches struck a calm tone Thursday before Saturday’s match. Wolfsburg’s Dieter Hecking called it a knockout game and St. Pauli’s Alexander Blessin labeled it the most important of the season.
- St. Pauli reported a stomach bug had eased, with David Nemeth ruled out, Eric Smith a doubt, and Hauke Wahl, Louis Oppie and Adam Dzwigala back.
- Ricky‑Jade Jones and Karol Mets are fit again, and the club will not relay Heidenheim’s score in the stadium.
- Wolfsburg, St. Pauli and Heidenheim are level on points. The loser in Hamburg goes straight down, and Wolfsburg enter with a slight goal‑difference edge as Heidenheim host Mainz.
- Local outlets in Hamburg reported Wolfsburg interest in St. Pauli figures Hauke Wahl and coach Alexander Blessin, adding off‑field noise, while in the women’s game Bayern beat Wolfsburg 4–0 in the Cup as Alexandra Popp made her farewell and more stars plan moves to England.