Matchday in focus: FC St. Pauli | OneFootball

Alexander Blessin’s new preferred system has helped St. Pauli climb the table in recent weeks, but Albert Riera’s team have a magnificent record against the Hamburg outfit.

Tactics

FC St. Pauli have managed to drag themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time since Matchday 9. Head coach Alexander Blessin has consistently fielded a 3-4-2-1 formation since mid-January, helping his side climb to ninth in the form table since the turn of the year.Blessin’s charges have won their last two games, beating Werder Bremen 2-1 at home before upsetting the odds with a 1-0 victory at third-placed TSG Hoffenheim.

Absentees

Andréas Hountondji, Ricky-Jade Jones, Karol Mets, David Nemeth, Simon Spari and Mathias Rasmussen are absent for the hosts.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are without Michy Batshuayi, Younes Ebnoutalib, Ansgar Knauff, Rasmus Kristensen, Kaua Santos, Arthur Theate and Can Uzun.

One to watch: Danel Sinani 

Danel Sinani has established himself as a key player for St. Pauli. The 28-year-old, who is in his third season with Die Kiezkicker, has found the net four times and registered three assists so far this season – more direct goal contributions than any other player at the club. 

An attacking midfielder by trade, Sinani has led the line for Blessin’s side in recent weeks, scoring key goals and delivering eye-of-the-needle passes for his team-mates. He leads by example on the pitch and tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, with none of his three yellow cards this term resulting from a foul.Sinani …

Key runs and stats

Eintracht are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga meetings with St. Pauli, registering four wins and a draw. They have only lost one of their last 12 games against Die Kiezkicker.

St. Pauli have struggled more than most in the final third this season, registering fewer attempts than any other side in the Bundesliga. Only Heidenheim have scored fewer goals this term.

Eintracht’s substitutes have played a key role recently, with four of the Eagles’ last five goals coming off the bench. Ten of their 48 league goals this term have been scored by substitutes – a new club record in the Bundesliga.

St. Pauli are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga outings on home soil – their longest such run since 1990. They recently won back-to-back home games for the first time since returning to the top flight in 2024, but they have not registered three or more consecutive home wins in the top division since 1996.