Thursday 19 September 2019

St. Pauli 2 - 0 Hamburg - A Very Honourable Man-Of-The-Match Performance

A VERY HONOURABLE MAN-OF-THE-MATCH PERFORMANCE


Mats Møller Dæhli vs HAMBURG





There's no doubt about it, Mats Møller Dæhli has established himself as a fan-favourite at St. Pauli. The 'Nordic David Silva' astounded at the Millerntor on Monday night, putting in a memorable performance against a well and truly beaten Hamburg side with celebrations after the game highlighting Dæhli's passion for the club. In a game which meant so much to so many, the attacking-midfielder dominated in the final third, stretching out a busy Hamburg midfield. Now coming into his third season for St. Pauli, the Norwegian has only developed further and further under a spell of confidence under manager Jos Luhukay. The derby only continued to highlight his love for the club, professionalism and quality as a footballer. The sweet victory was truly a team effort, but the input from Dæhli deserves to be acknowledged.

Whilst the 24-year-old did not directly receive an assist for either of the St. Pauli goals, it is worth highlighting that both goals came from 
Dæhli in some form. The first was developed from a beautiful whipped cross on the left, Dæhli guiding the ball with his weaker right foot, finding the head of Marvin Knoll. The header bounced off the post and was offered-up to Dimitrios Diamantakos to poke in from 3 yards out. The delivery from St. Pauli's number 14 was perfect, raising just above Hamburg's Sonny Kittel, but too shy for defender Rick van Drongelen to deny Knoll an opportunity at goal. Dæhli on the left able to make an impact on his weaker foot.

St. Pauli's second of the night included another work of genius from the man himself. A free-kick from 25 yards out was enough for the attacking midfielder to work his magic. Taken quickly and assertively, the ball meets an equally alert Knoll who is facing away from goal but with enough room to pirouette. Knoll gets a delicate flick of the ball, directing it delicately to an awkwardly positioned van Drongelen. The Dutch centre-back only able to slice the ball past his own goalkeeper, Hamburg's Daniel Fernandes, who turns in disbelief. Fernandes left stunned by a well thought-out set piece. Training ground or just sheer audaciousness, the free-kick goes down in derby history, with 
Dæhli again showing his creativity and awareness.


Throughout the game the Norway international continued to promote positive play and in the 82nd minute he had his own moment to confirm the last St. Pauli victory against Hamburg since the season of 2011. A shot from 20 yards out ensuring the upright was well and truly firm in position. A powerful right-footed strike enough to startle Fernandes. All game Dæhli turned and twisted his way around a dizzy opposition, nobody able to read the Nordic's script. A brilliant performance, filled with determination to overrule an embarrassing previous team performance from last season's visitors.

What most fans will surely remember this game for will be 
Dæhli's ninety-fourth minute celebration. The camera perfectly capturing the ex-Manchester United youngter's badge kiss as he passionately screams at the fans. A true measurement of just how much the victory meant to the player. In such a tough, energy-draining fixture is when the real character comes out. some players will soak up such an opportunity, some can only just handle the weight of such a game. Whilst all St. Pauli players deserve to celebrate such an impressive and hard-fought victory over their long-term rivals, none deserve more of a standing ovation than Dæhli.

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