- St. Pauli grapples with accuracy or St. Pauli encounters difficulties with exactitude.
Following a 0:2 loss at home to FC Heidenheim, FC St. Pauli's training program for the international break adjusted itself post-defeat. "We missed decisiveness in the final third. We need to enhance as a team to win second balls as well," stated St. Pauli striker Johannes Eggestein after the 0:1 defeat at 1. FC Union Berlin on the second matchday.
Five days later, the Hamburg team displayed some fluidity but struggled to create significant opportunities. "In the decisive area, we lacked confidence. Union's compact formation made it tough, with their goal giving us a setback," said Hamburg coach Alexander Blessin.
Blessin expresses frustration over conceded set-piece goals
Shortly following Berlin's 34th-minute goal by Benedict Hollerbach, Blessin was forced to substitute captain Eric Smith due to a muscle injury. "Another goal conceded from a set piece. We need to improve our defense," said Blessin, expressing his concerns and adding it to the team's training itinerary.
The latter part of the match saw St. Pauli gain more control, partially due to the introduction of wingers Elias Saad and Oladapo Afolayan who nearly managed an equalizer in stoppage time. Unlike his predecessor Fabian Hürzeler, Blessin places a stronger emphasis on structure, prioritizing "holding ground," to allow the attacking players to build from the bench.
However, Blessin's team selection remains flexible. He assured both Saad and Afolayan would " receive opportunities to start."
Eggestein commends system change with Saad and Afolayan's introductions
Eggestein praised the system change following Saad and Afolayan's substitutions in the 61st minute, a tactic that had paid off two weeks earlier with a 3:2 DFB-Pokal victory against regional league side Hallescher FC. "The 3-4-3 system performs better against deeper opposition. It allows us to seek out individual matchups. Our possession game is strong. I feel uneasy when we lose possession," said Eggestein, yet pointed out, "In the end, we lacked top-tier players."
The training programme for FC St. Pauli was adjusted after the International break, focusing on improving their performance in the final third and winning second balls. After observing the team's struggles during the match against Hamburg, coach Alexander Blessin suggested that the training programme should include sessions on boosting confidence in the decisive area.
Following a successful implementation of the 3-4-3 system in their previous match against Hallescher FC, FC St. Pauli's training programme might include drills to enhance this tactical approach, as Striker Johannes Eggestein believes it suits their playstyle better against deeper opposition.
