Audio: FC St. Pauli: Captain Irvine again in the squad (1 min)
Status: 14.09.2025 12:17 p.m.
FC St. Pauli can go back to captain in the Bundesliga game against FC Augsburg Jackson Irvine fall back. The Australian was missing almost five months with a foot injury. So far, the Hamburgers have compensated for the failure very well.
In the middle of it and not only there – Irvine mixed up vigorously in training again this week. The problems with his left foot, on which the 32-year-old even had to be operated on, are over. So the season can begin for the Australian international.
At the press conference against FC Augsburg, coach Alexander Blessin warned of excessive expectations and act on the euphorie, “We look forward to Jackson and he will be in the squad. But he will need a bit. The captain is back on board, but will take a seat on the bench.”
St. Pauli’s start of the season, even without Irvine
However, the St. Paulians are also in a comfortable location – the start of the season was also successful without the leader. After the nerve-wracking 3: 3 against Borussia Dortmund on the first match day, the North Germans said goodbye to the international break with a 2-0 win at HSV. Stand now Irvine can get all the time he needs to get back into the full possession of his strength.
“Head-to-head race” between Pyrka and Saliacas
Another regular player has long been in full possession of his strength, but has to face a completely new competitive situation: Manoli’s Saliacas. The Greek was fit again after his injury – with a view to the duel around the square on the right outer lane with Arkadiusz Pyrka, Blessin spoke of “a real competition”. The pole did his job very well in Saliaca’s absence. “It’s a head-to-head race,” said St. Pauli’s coach.
Saad returns to Millerntor for the first time
And then with Elias Saad, a player returns to Millerntor for the first time, who left the Kiezkicker in summer. The former futsaler and regional league kicker had a steep career in Hamburg. His departure came a little surprising, especially since Augsburg is not the big name in German football – but just a seasoned Bundesliga club.
Blessin emphasized that he was looking forward to seeing him again with his former player: “There is no resentment or the like.” And he also expects it from the fans: “I do not count on whistles, but with appeals.”
The applause (also) crowd favorite Irvine should certainly be. In any case, when warming up and especially if it should be substituted in the course of the game.
Possible lists
FC St. Pauli: Vasilj – Wahl, Smith, Dwigala – Pyrka, Sands, Fujita, Oppie – Sinani – Hountondji, Pereira Lage
FC Augsburg: Dahmen – Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Zesiger – Wolf, Massengo, Jakic, Fellhauer – Saad, Rieder – Kömür