FC St. Pauli head coach Marcel Rapp met the media ahead of the home match against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday. The manager analyzed the DFB-Pokal exit at RW Essen and provided updates on player availability, the club's official website fcstpauli.com reported on Friday. The second-division side currently sits 14th in the table with two points from two draws, having scored three goals and conceded three.
How does Rapp assess the cup exit?
The disappointment over the 2-1 defeat at RW Essen in the first cup round was significant. Marcel Rapp said the performance had been analyzed and work was being done on the weaknesses. "We conceded two goals from crosses, that's something we've been working on in training," the coach told fcstpauli.com. They needed to defend crosses into the box better. The team, however, appeared focused on the upcoming task against Kaiserslautern and had taken a step forward during the training week. Rapp's team is still without a win in the league but has created chances in every game. The coach emphasized they analyze the performance on the pitch, not just the result. This factual approach is also communicated to the players. Rapp sees no risk of a downward spiral. "The work gets much easier when you're getting results and confidence is growing, and that's where we aim to start this weekend," he said.
Which players are available against Kaiserslautern?
Abdoulie Ceesay has trained all week after his injury and is an option again, according to Rapp. The attacker was in good form until his setback and had shown his capabilities in pre-season friendlies. New signing Youssoupha Niang has also trained well and is in contention. Rapp values him for his speed and running strength as a threat to defensive lines. However, the coach sees the newly signed striker initially more in a substitute role. "As he's only just joined us, I see him more in a substitute's role," explained Rapp. For Eric Smith, who started pre-season later after the World Cup, fitness is still building. The player has been training for five weeks, which is the length of a normal pre-season, and has taken another step forward.
What does St. Pauli expect from opponent Kaiserslautern?
Marcel Rapp expects a tough challenge on Sunday at the Millerntor-Stadion. He described the team from Betzenberg as having good players and a good mentality. "They are dangerous from set pieces and defend well as a team," said the St. Pauli coach. They are up against a tough opponent who doesn't give you many chances. Despite the visitors' strong defence, which Rapp says is carried by the whole team and not just the defenders, St. Pauli goes into the match with confidence. "We're the team who create the most chances and pose the biggest threat in behind," said Rapp. They are confident enough to create chances and score in every game. Ultimately, it comes down to their own performance. Victory is in their own hands. You can find the current table on our standings page.
What's next for St. Pauli after the match?
Regardless of the outcome of the home game, the next challenge awaits the Boys in Brown. The following week brings an away match against sixth-placed Arminia Bielefeld. This fixture takes place on 4 September 2026. Marcel Rapp's team currently trails league leaders Hertha BSC by seven points. The upcoming matches will show if the analysis work and training from the past week bear fruit. The personnel options with Ceesay and Niang offer the coach more flexibility. All upcoming fixtures for the season can be found in our fixtures calendar. The development of the team and individual players is also documented on our stats page.
