As the year comes to a close, Second Division champions FC St. Pauli visit the Neckarstadion. Eli gives us some insights into how things are looking for the Hamburg club.
With the Red Stripe: Hello Eli, thank you for taking the time. How satisfied are people at St. Pauli with the current season?
Eli: Relatively. All in all, we’re doing quite well and have realistic chances of staying in the league. The mood is generally positive every weekend, even if we lose. The biggest criticism from me and other St. Pauli fans is that we don’t have a good striker. Eggestein is decent in build-up play, but absolutely no threat in front of goal.
St. Pauli had to hire a new coach at the beginning of the season, as promotion coach Hürzeler moved to England. How satisfied are people with Blessin so far?
I wasn’t very convinced at first, especially after matches like the one against Halle. But now I’m very satisfied. In my opinion, he’s getting the best out of the current squad and isn’t afraid to try something new.
St. Pauli has one of the best defenses in the league. With 19 goals conceded, they are on par with BVB, Mainz, and Frankfurt. Why is that?
I think you definitely can’t attribute it to just one player. We have Vasilij, a really, really good goalkeeper. Then ahead of him, we’ve got Mets, Wahl (now Nemeth), and OF COURSE the football god Eric Smith, who in my opinion is our best player. They’re all not only solid defensively but also indispensable for the build-up play.
Offensively, however, the team is very weak. Alongside Bochum, St. Pauli has the fewest goals in the league. How do you explain that?
Well, we’re simply missing, and sorry to say it like this, a competent striker. Like I said, Eggestein is okay in the build-up play but no threat in front of goal. And when someone like Elias Saad, who isn’t a striker but has scored a few goals thanks to his individual brilliance, is injured, then you can’t expect much.
Blessin was born in Bad Cannstatt and also played for VfB. Do you think this will be a special match for him as well?
Certainly, and the atmosphere in Stuttgart is supposed to be quite lively 😉 I’d have loved to go, but I’m not in Germany!
Who is your St. Pauli player of the season?
Without a doubt, Eric Smith. Defensively rock-solid, indispensable in the build-up, and he’s also got quite a bit to offer offensively 😉 Greetings to the BVB fans (despite the defeat).
How would you describe St. Pauli’s style of play?
Currently, lower Bundesliga level. With a good striker, I see potential for a mid-table finish if we can retain the squad and make some targeted improvements.
Where do you think FCSP will end up at the end of the season?
I’d be very happy with anything above 16th place.
Finally, your prediction and feeling for the match?
I always believe, so I’ll say a miracle happens, and the game ends 2–1 for FC Sankt Pauli.
Note: This interview was translated from German via ChatGPT
Picture: © Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images