Ahead of Friday's top match, FC St. Pauli president Oke Göttlich has publicly criticized VfL Wolfsburg. Göttlich spoke of a "distortion of competition" and took aim at the second division rival.
The comments come at a key stage of the season. VfL Wolfsburg are 4th in the 2. Bundesliga after four matchdays, having collected eight points. Their record shows two wins and two draws. The next game takes them precisely to FC St. Pauli. The match will be played at the Millerntor-Stadion on September 12. League leaders Hertha BSC currently have a four-point advantage.
What Göttlich said exactly
The St. Pauli president made the remarks in an interview. He criticized VfL Wolfsburg's financial capabilities, which in his view distort the competition. Göttlich said, "That is a distortion of competition." Further details of his argument were not provided. Such accusations are not new for Wolfsburg, but the timing just before the direct clash is notable.
The current situation
The Wolves face a direct competitor currently sitting in 15th place. Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl's team has scored ten goals and conceded six so far this season. Their last four matches resulted in the form sequence DWWD. The last meeting with St. Pauli ended in a 3:1 away win for Wolfsburg in May. The current league table and all upcoming fixtures can be found on our standings page.
Implications for Friday's match
The public criticism adds an extra emotional edge to the clash. For Wolfsburg, it's about confirming their strong early form and keeping pace with the top. A win could close the gap to Hertha. The full schedule for the rest of the season, including all fixtures, is already set. Friday's match kicks off at 6:30 PM.
