FC St. Pauli struggles against defensive woes

FC St. Pauli struggles against defensive woes after squandering a 2-0 lead against Kiel. Coach Marcel Rapp identifies areas of concern in the defense that need to be addressed.

22 Aug 2026 By Theo Hartmann · senior correspondent

FC St. Pauli struggles against defensive woes after squandering a 2-0 lead against Kiel.

What happened?

The team, led by coach Marcel Rapp, had a good first half, but lost focus in the second half. The defense struggled to defend against high crosses and aerial battles.

Why is it important for FC St. Pauli?

The loss shows that the defense is not yet stable enough. Coach Marcel Rapp identifies areas of concern in the defense that need to be addressed.

What comes next?

FC St. Pauli must prepare for the next match and stabilize the defense. The team finished the previous Bundesliga season with 26 points from 34 games and is currently in 18th place. The last match ended in a 1-3 loss to VfL Wolfsburg on May 16, 2026.