- FC St. Pauli aims to embody an "unsightly" image as well, beyond just playing fair.
Coach Blessin of FC St. Pauli insists his Bundesliga squad needs more than just pretty football. "We need to be gritty," the 51-year-old stated. "We're not earning a reward for playing beautifully. Whether that's considered a 'bastard mentality,' as some put it, remains debatable. But playing dirty, that's undeniable."
Blessin takes the helm as a German professional football manager on Sunday (5:30 PM/DAZN), going head-to-head against 1. FC Heidenheim. He replaced Fabian Hürzeler (31), who left following their promotion. Blessin joined the squad in early July, shortly after they clinched the second division title last season.
He's optimistic about the impact his team will have on the league. "We're bringing some flair," he said. The team's approach will shift, with more emphasis on transitions and less on ball possession. He and his players aim to please not just their home crowd, but all fans. "We want to turn heads with our playstyle."
Blessin sees 1. FC Heidenheim, FC St. Pauli's first Bundesliga opponent in 13 years, as a model for his own team. He commends their financial management and consistent performance over the years. He was particularly impressed by coach Frank Schmidt's work: "Kudos to him."
Blessin prepares to lead his team on Sunday, facing 1. FC Heidenheim in their Bundesliga debut at 5:30 PM on DAZN. Following their promotion, they replace Fabian Hürzeler, with Blessin joining the squad in early July after they secured the second division title last season.
During their upcoming match, FC St. Pauli will aim to impress with a new playstyle, shifting focus from ball possession to transitions, hoping to please not only their home crowd but also all Bundesliga fans.
