FC St. Pauli held a training session at their Kollaustraße ground on 27 August 2026 to prepare for their upcoming home match in the 2. Bundesliga. The team, currently 14th in the table with two points from two draws, is urgently seeking its first win of the season. A licensable picture from the session, captured by HMB Media/Fernando Soares for SIPA USA and distributed via Reuters Connect, shows midfielder Erik Ahlstrand in action. The player wearing the number 14 shirt was one of many squad members put through their paces by the coaching staff. All focus is on the next matchday, which will see 15th-placed 1. FC Kaiserslautern visit the Millerntor-Stadion.
How is the team preparing for Kaiserslautern?
Wednesday's session was the final full training before Friday's match against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. At the Kollaustraße facility, the emphasis was on tactical drills and set-piece situations. Fabian Hürzeler's squad worked on shoring up a defence that has conceded three goals in the first two matches. Simultaneously, the attack needs to become more clinical, as three goals scored have not been enough for a victory yet. The full schedule of upcoming fixtures is available on our fixtures page.
Erik Ahlstrand, captured in the licensed image, is a key component in the midfield of the Kiezkicker. His fitness and form will be important for the upcoming duel. The team must improve its chance conversion to finally secure a full three points. A win against this direct rival from the lower half of the table would send an important signal for the rest of the campaign.
Where does FC St. Pauli stand in the current table?
The record after two matchdays is mixed. Two draws mean two points and 14th place. The goal difference is even, with three scored and three conceded. This leaves the club already seven points behind league leaders Hertha BSC. The gap to the relegation zone, however, is just one point. The recent form of two draws (DD) underscores the need for more determination and efficiency.
A look at the standings shows how tight the league is in the bottom half. Every point gained is valuable to avoid an early relegation battle. The home game against Kaiserslautern offers a chance to improve the record and establish a foothold in the mid-table. Team statistics for the current season can be viewed on our stats page.
What role does Erik Ahlstrand play in the squad?
Midfielder Erik Ahlstrand wears the number 14 and is an experienced head in the young FC St. Pauli squad. His presence in training, documented by the Reuters Connect imagery, is typical of his professional attitude. Ahlstrand brings composure and circulation to Hamburg's play and is important in both defensive and offensive transitions. His injury status and minutes can be tracked on our injuries list.
His experience is needed to guide the younger players in the team and provide the necessary cleverness in tight games. Against Kaiserslautern, he will be expected to control the game in the centre of the park and dictate the tempo. The complete squad overview with all players and their data is provided on our squad page.
What does the next match mean for the season?
The home game on 30 August 2026 against 1. FC Kaiserslautern is highly significant. It is the third match of the season and a direct confrontation with a competitor from the lower third of the table. A win would not only bring the first three points of the season but also massively boost the team's confidence. A defeat, on the other hand, would noticeably increase the pressure before the next away game.
The week's preparation, which included the documented training session, was aimed at correcting the mistakes from the first games. The team wants to finally play to its strengths in front of its home crowd. The focus is on a compact defensive unit and fast, purposeful counter-attacking play. The coming weeks will show if the work on the training ground pays off.
