In modern football, where newly promoted sides often fire tens of millions at new signings in the hope of survival, St.Pauli demonstrated that it’s not always necessary. Sure, it was a slow start as...
In modern football, where newly promoted sides often fire tens of millions at new signings in the hope of survival, St.Pauli demonstrated that it’s not always necessary. Sure, it was a slow start as they got to grips with their new Bundesliga environment.
However, St.Pauli acclimatised rapidly and never dropped into the relegation places beyond Matchday 11. Alexander Blessin’s men can be more than proud of their 14th-place finish considering they spent a measly €2.25million in the windows.
As for their DfB-Pokal campaign, things fizzled out rather quickly although they fell victim to an unfortunate draw. Having survived an upset against Hallescher with a 3-2 win in extra-time, their luck ran out in the second round in a 4-2 defeat away to RB Leipzig.
Now heading into his second season at the helm of the Hanseatic club, Alexander Blessin will be hoping to build on the foundations of their first campaign back in the German topflight since 2010/11. Improved financial backing may just help his cause.
Transfers:
One of the difficulties faced by every promoted team that survives the drop is attention from bigger teams. It comes as no surprise that the Kiezkickers would lose three of their most influential players as the sharks started to circle when the transfer window opened.
Marauding full-back Philipp Treu was snapped up by SC Freiburg for €5.5million, while last season’s top-scorer (7) Morgan Guilavogui set sail for Lens (€4.5m). Despite injuries, Elias Saad was always capable of magic but has since joined Augsburg (€2m). Meanwhile, Johannes Eggestein (Austria Vienna) and Carlo Boukhalfa (St. Gallen) left on free transfers.
However, recruitment has been impressive with St.Pauli breaking their own transfer record to pick up exciting Japanese midfielder Joel Chima Fujita (€3m from St.Truiden) to replace Robert Wagner whose loan has expired. Louis Oppie, who had an excellent season for Bielefeld, takes over Treu’s slot for €2million.
Meanwhile, striker Andreas Hountondji (loan from Burnley) will look to hold down a forward roll, while experienced winger Mathias Pereira Lage (Stade Brestois) and right-back Arkadiusz Pyrka (Piast Gliwice) arrive on free transfers. Pereira Lage in particular looks promising with 2 goals and 7 assists in Ligue 1 last campaign.
Pre-season preparations:
St.Pauli returned to training and commenced their build-up to the 2025/26 campaign on July 3 with their first pre-season win coming in a 10-0 thrashing of sixth-tier Gruen-Weiss Firrel. Their sole defeat – a 1-0 loss to Drochtersen/Assel – made for the only low point.
Before heading off for their training camp in Flachau, Austria; they romped to a 4-1 win over Danish side Silkeborg and sealed a 6-1 win against Karlsruhe SC five days later. Their final training camp test came against OGC Nice who they defeated 2-0 in impressive fashion.
Returning to the Hanseatic city, they made a quick turnaround to travel to England where they played out a 2-2 stalemate with EFL Championship outfit Coventry City. They rounded up their test matches in style with a 1-0 success against Verona.
During the course of those pre-season fixtures, new signings Hountondji (3 goals) and Pereira Lage (2 goals), while Oladapo Afolayan and Danel Sinani (3 goals, each) also demonstrated their importance.
St.Pauli’s opening competitive fixture sees them take on Regionalliga Nord side Eintracht Frankfurt 03 in the DfB-Pokal today, August 16. Meanwhile, they host Borussia Dortmund the following weekend to kickstart their Bundesliga campaign.
Predicted starting lineups:
3-4-1-2: Vasilj – Wahl, Smith, Nemeth – Saliakas, Sands, Fujita, Oppie – Sinani – Hountondji, Pereira Lage
As is often the case with Alexander Blessin’s side, several names could feature in each position. However, one certainty is Nikola Vasilj who kept the fifth-highest clean sheets last year (9).
A three-man rearguard is expected as normal with elder statesman Hauke Wahl in beside Eric Smith and David Nemeth. Smith, of course, is capable of shifting into midfield if needed.
Manolis Salikas should get the nod over Pyrka on the right flank with new man Louis Oppie down the left. Until Jackson Irvine returns from an injury, James Sands should partner Joel Chima Fujita in the engine room.
The battle between Danel Sinani and Oladapo Afolayan is one to watch, but the winner will likely form an attacking trio in the pocket behind or alongside Andreas Hountondji or Mathias Pereira Lage.
Predictions for the upcoming season:
With so many changes over the summer in terms of personnel, Blessin’s biggest challenge will be integrating his news signings quickly which could take time. If those new names hit the ground running, it’ll further boost their hopes of survival.
With two big traditionsvereine in Koln and Hamburg returning to the Bundesliga, the battle to beat the drop looks tighter than ever. Last season’s experience should stand to St.Pauli, so the likelihood of a 16th-to-14th place finish can be achieved if their defence stays watertight like it did in 2024/25.
Category: General Sports
