FC St. Pauli

Alexander Blessin on…

...the injury situation: "When we got the news about Connor Metcalfe from the Australian FA, it didn't sound good initially, but we've had him checked out and it's not so bad. We'll have to see how long he's out but it's more a question of days rather than weeks and there's a slight chance he'll be available on Sunday. Elias Saad needed a week, but he came through the last two training sessions without any pain and is back to full fitness. As for Eric Smith, we thought the injury was a bad one at first but fortunately that turned out not to be the case and he got back up to speed very quickly. I have to praise the medical department for doing some excellent work with him even on the days we had off. On top of that Eric had the joyous experience of becoming a father to a healthy girl. We gave Johannes Eggestein some off to rest and work his way back. He trained without pain over the last two days and is 100% fit. Manos Saliakas is an important player for us and we'll assess whether he's ready for a place in the starting lineup, but we do have options in that position."

...opponents Augsburg and their style of play: "Augsburg are a good team. The 4-0 reverse at Heidenheim gave a wrong impression. The margin of defeat was two or three goals too high in the end. It was an open game for a long time but eventually it came down to Heidenheim's efficiency, which we experienced ourselves at first hand. Augsburg had a good structure, especially in the centre. They have two strikers who hold the ball up well and then they push up well, so we'll have to be careful. It now looks as if Rubén Vargas is staying at Augsburg and Kristijan Jakić, who's been missing in Jess Thorup's system so far, is back as an out-an-out holding midfielder. We'll have to see whether he switches to a 5-3-2 or sticks to a diamond. So as you can see, they have a lot of players in the centre, and we'll have to find solutions, be it with wingers or other courses of action."

...the mood in the camp: "The mood in the squad remains positive and focused. We feel we don't have enough points, but we've performed well so far and are lacking the last three or four per cent. Everyone knows we have to step it up a bit. The running and sprint stats have been good, and we have to keep that up, but we have to make better use of our chances. The first game was a particularly good example of that. It was tough in the second game, and we might have to fine tune some of the runs we make. All in all, though, it gives us the strength to say we're on the right track. I'm very positive as far as the next few games are concerned. Sooner or later the points will come because I know how hard the lads are working. The fans have seen the games and know what to make of them. But we have to be critical of ourselves and say we need to go up another level."

Photos: Witters