Matchday in focus: FC St. Pauli | OneFootball

Defensively solid and hard-working, although lacking a cutting edge in attack, St. Pauli have a clear philosophy. Tireless club captain Jackson Irvine has yet to miss a minute this season.

Tactics

Eintracht travel to the Millerntor to face FC St. Pauli on Saturday in their first competitive game of the new year. After 15 Matchdays, the Hamburg outfit are 14th in the table with 14 points and have a clear target in their sights: survival. Head coach Alexander Blessin’s side cover a lot of ground and are aggressive in the press. “The premise was that we should be unpleasant to play against,” Blessin said ahead of his team’s return to action in 2025.

“They’re the hardest-running team in the league and have good ideas with the ball,” added Eintracht boss Dino Toppmöller. “All that’s been missing so far is penetration in the final third.”

Having conceded just 19 goals so far this term – more only than Bayern Munich – St. Pauli have one of the best defensive records in the division. “We want to focus on our strengths, put them into practice on the pitch and minimise their strengths as much as possible,” continued Blessin. “As a promoted side in the Bundesliga, the togetherness in the squad is enormously important. It’s about being united as a team.”

Three winter signings

With only 12 goals scored, however, Eintracht’s opponents on Saturday have the weakest attack in the league. In Abdoulie Ceesay and Noah Weißhaupt, St. Pauli have brought in two players this month who are meant to add much-needed impetus to their frontline. Defensive midfielder James Sands has also joined the club.

Absentees

St. Pauli are missing Simon Zoller, Sören Ahlers, Connor Metcalfe, Elias Saad, Sascha Burchert, Robert Wagner and Karol Mets (all injured). Eintracht, meanwhile, are without injured duo Aurèle Amenda and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya.

One to watch: Jackson Irvine

Jackson Irvine is not only St. Pauli’s captain, he has established himself as the face of the Hamburg side. The 31-year-old Australian with Scottish roots was born in Melbourne and has been with the club since July 2021.

A key player for St. Pauli: Jackson Irvine.

Irvine…

Key stats and runs

St. Pauli have won two of their last four Bundesliga games – as many victories as they managed in their opening 11 games of the campaign.

The Eagles are unbeaten in 12 Bundesliga games against promoted sides, registering nine wins and three draws in that period.

The worst attack and the third-best attack in the Bundesliga this season meet on Saturday.

Reunited

Omar Marmoush spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at St. Pauli.

Striker Igor Matanovic returns to his hometown club, having spent 13 years with St. Pauli as a youngster.