FC St. Pauli

That victory at Ingolstadt was vitally important, as it brought an end to a run of four competitive defeats and five weeks without a win. A strong defensive performance (Markus Kauczinski's side won 59 per cent of their duels at Ingolstadt – more than any other team this season) and a flash of brilliance from substitutes Ryo Miyaichi and Ersin Zehir proved decisive.

The Boys in Brown are now looking to take the momentum and the "positive feeling" (Kauczinski) from that success into a busy week. After finally keeping a clean sheet again at Ingolstadt, Kauczinski's side will need another focused defensive performance against Paderborn if they are to claim their next three points.

"Defensively, it's definitely going to be another challenge for us," said Robin Himmelmann in view of Paderborn's potent attacking force. That strike threat carried tomorrow's visitors to promotion last season (90 goals was a new record for the third division) and they have continued to score for fun this term. Steffen Baumgart's side, unbeaten in their last five, have already found the net 15 times, with only Cologne scoring more often (16).

Paderborn may have surrendered a two-goal lead in the closing stages to draw 4-4 against Magdeburg on Sunday, but they did come from behind twice to beat Cologne 5-3 a week earlier. The Boys in Brown thus have a job on their hands, though they are sure to be up for the challenge after the win at Ingolstadt. "Everyone put themselves at the service of the team in that game" said Kauczinski in praise of his charges. Nothing less will be required if his side are to add three more points to their total against Paderborn.

Photo: Witters