Football Season Guide

St. Pauli

In


Daniel Sinani (mid) Norwich City; Hauke Wahl (def) Holstein Kiel; Philipp Treu (def) SC Freiburg II; Andreas Albers (att) Jahn Regensburg; Karol Mets (def) FC Zurich;

Out


Betim Fazliji (def) (sp) FC St.Gallen; Leart Paqarada (def) (r) FC Koln; Lukas Daschner (mid) (r) VfL Bochum; Jannes Wieckhoff (def) Heracles Almelo; Marcel Beifus (def) (sp) Karlsruher SC; Luca Zander (def) (sp) SV Sandhausen; Franz Roggow (mid) Borussia Dortmund II; Dennis Smarsch (gk) MSV Duisburg; Christopher Avevor (def) released; Igor Matanovic (att) (sp) Eintracht Frankfurt - end of loan;

Young boss Fabian Hurzeler transformed the club in the second half of the last campaign, winning 13 of his 17 games in charge. If it wasn’t for their poor early season form under Timo Schultz, St.Pauli would have achieved promotion to the top tier. There is plenty of optimism that St.Pauli can continue where they left off with a hungry squad and a confident young coach. Hurzeler improved the side defensively last term and with the signing of Wahl from Holstein Kiel, more leadership and experience have been added. The left-back position could be an area of weakness after the loss of Paqrada to Koln, Ritzka could be ready to adopt the role but the lack of a backup may need to be addressed before the transfer window shuts. Experienced target-man Albers has joined from relegated Jahn Regensburg, while Luxembourg winger Sinani will also add more threat to their attacking play. Forward Daschner has left for Bochum after an impressive campaign last time out but there should be enough quality to compensate. St.Pauli should not be underestimated in the coming season and not many teams will fancy the trip to Millerntor Stadion, a place where they have lost just three times in the last two seasons.

Target


St.Pauli may not possess the same strength in depth as the big boys in the division but a promotion challenge can not be ruled out with Hurzeler at the wheel.