Bundesliga Preview: St. Pauli
Photo by Holde Schneider/Bongarts/Getty Images
St. Pauli shouldn’t get too comfortable in the top division.
By LoneStar249 Aug 7, 2024, 12:00am CEST
Despite finishing behind the other promoted club, Holstein Kiel, in the Bundesliga’s 2nd division and the DFB-Pokal during the 2023-24 season, St. Pauli actually has better odds of winning the league. It will be a miracle if St. Pauli can avoid relegation, but crazier things have happened.
St. Pauli hasn’t beaten Bayern Munich since a 2-1 upset in 2002 and it would be a shock if this season’s results were any different.
Fresh off a singular successful season at Union SG, Alexander Blessin will lead St. Pauli in its return to the top division. St. Pauli’s leading scorer, Marcel Hartel, transitioned his best season into a Designated Player (DP) contract with MLS.
Manager: Alexander Blessin, 1st years
Total market value: €37M
Starting XI market value: €27M
Formation: 3-4-3
Key Players: Oladapo Afolayan, winger; Elias Saad, winger; Eric Smith, center back
Key Additions: Robert Wagner, midfielder (loan, Freiburg); Morgan Guilavogui, winger (loan, Lens)
Key Departures: Marcel Hartel, midfielder (free transfer, St Louis SC); Aljoscha Kemlein, midfielder (end of loan, Union Berlin)
2023-24 Bundesliga results: 20W-9D-5L, 69 points, 62 goals, 2nd place (2nd division)
2024-25 European competition: n/a
Bundesliga prediction: 4W-8D-22L, 20 points, 34 goals, 18th place
Opening match: Home vs Heidenheim
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