Before the last game of the year
©IMAGO
Bundesliga newcomers FC St. Pauli are going into the last game of the year at VfB Stuttgart in a very weak state. Eight players have long-term injuries anyway, and defense chief Eric Smith (27) has had problems with his calf since this week. And then coach Alexander Blessin admitted at his press conference for the VfB game (Saturday, 3:30 p.m./Sky) that captain Jackson Irvine (31) “has been playing with an injury for two weeks”.
Blessin said the background. “I didn’t even know the muscle existed. This is a deep muscle that doesn’t hinder him that much. This is annoying and it drags during certain movements. But it’s not like we run the risk of him being out longer if he plays.”
The Australian international definitely needs the ten-day winter break after the Stuttgart game to cure these muscular problems, said his coach. “He always pushes himself to the maximum. He does everything for the team,” said Blessin. “I really don’t want to cry or give an alibi. But the amount of kilometers Jacko has eaten up this year – not just on the plane, but also on the pitch – is not only absolutely worth mentioning, but you also have to take your hat off to him.”
