FC St. Pauli is searching for a winning formula in the 2. Bundesliga following their disappointing DFB-Pokal exit to third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen. The Hamburg-based club's next match is a home fixture against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday at 13:30, broadcast live on Sky.
Head coach Marcel Rapp must quickly process the 2-0 defeat to Essen, as a direct competitor in 14th place awaits in the league. Currently, St. Pauli sits in 13th place in the 2. Bundesliga with two points from two draws. Their record after two matchdays shows zero wins, two draws, and zero losses with a goal difference of 3:3. This leaves the Brown-Whites already four points behind leaders 1. FC Nürnberg. Marcel Rapp's team last celebrated a competitive victory at the end of February, a long drought they are desperate to end.
How is Marcel Rapp handling the current form?
Marcel Rapp analyzes his team's performances neutrally and factually, independent of the result. "We were naturally disappointed that we were eliminated," the coach admitted to Die Welt Sport after the cup upset. His analysis focuses on the facts and the performance, not just the disappointing record. Rapp also emphasized that working is easier with positive experiences. Under his leadership, St. Pauli drew 1-1 against Fürth and 2-2 in Kiel. "Naturally, we are not happy with the results, that is very clear," Rapp added. The current form of two draws at the start of the season reflects this dissatisfaction.
What personnel options does the coach have?
Positively for planning, Coach Rapp has no short-term absences in his squad to report. A welcome returnee is forward Abdoulie Ceesay, who is an option for the matchday squad again after a weeks-long injury absence. His return could provide new impetus to an attack that has scored three goals in the first two league games but also conceded three. Full availability is a key factor in trying to climb from their current mid-table position in the standings. The full squad overview can be found on our squad page.
What does the match against Kaiserslautern mean?
The clash against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on August 30, 2026, at the Millerntor-Stadion is of great importance for the rest of the season planning. A victory would not only end the long winless run but also increase the gap to the relegation places and close in on the top half of the table. Both teams have had an identical start to the season with two points, making this encounter a genuine six-pointer. The detailed stats from the season so far underline the balanced performance of both sides.
The team is under pressure to finally secure three points. A success against Lautern would be an important signal that Coach Rapp's team has found its way out of the slump. The coming weeks will show if FC St. Pauli can manage the turnaround and still achieve its season objectives. The upcoming fixtures can be viewed on our fixtures page.
