FC St. Pauli

The two sides last met some four months ago, an encounter many St. Pauli fans will remember all too well. With three games left to play, Dynamo were battling against relegation, while we were still in the running at the other end of the table. Little surprise, then, that the match was explosive from the start. The moment that sparked discussions long after the final whistle came in the 21^st minute, it being one of the most controversial penalty awards of last season. Patrick Ebert's volley struck Jan-Philipp Kalla on the back and then on his outstretched arm. Referee Robert Kempter pointed the spot – despite the best efforts of the players to get him to change his mind. Kalla even showed him the mark left by the ball on his upper body, but the official was not for turning, and Ebert buried the penalty in clinical fashion to give his side a 1-0 lead. Dresden kept their noses in front to the end, eventually winning 2-1 to ward off the drop and send the Boys in Brown on the long journey home with nothing to show for a decent performance.

When the two sides square up tomorrow, there will again be important points at stake, as neither have come out of the traps well this term, at least in terms of points won. Both clubs have garnered just four to date (one win, one draw and two defeats). While the Boys in Brown travel to Dresden with the confidence boost of Monday night's win over Holstein Kiel, the home side will be no doubt be feeling some pent-up frustration after biting on granite against an extremely defensive SV Darmstadt 98 last time out. Dresden dominated the proceedings, registering 70 per cent of the possession, but were unable to break the deadlock and the game ended 0-0. It's therefore safe to assume that Dynamo will come out highly motivated and ready for a scrap on Saturday.

That will be of no interest to Jos Luhukay's side, however. Monday's result has given them a huge shot in the arm and the momentum they need to hold their own at Dresden, so let's hope they can follow up the first home win of the season with the first away win. Come on you Boys in Brown!

Photo: Witters