St. Pauli manager Bressin: Everything is still in our own hands as we face the relegation battle.

The 30th round of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season will take place, with St. Pauli hosting newly promoted Cologne. Head coach Brussing stated that the team must remain calm in the face of the relegation challenge, adding that everything is still in the team's hands.

After suffering a humiliating 0-5 defeat to defending champions Bayern Munich in the last round of the league, St. Pauli is currently ranked 16th in the standings with 25 points, just 4 points away from the relegation zone.

St. Pauli coach Brestin said at a press conference, "It would be great if we could use a stable defense for five or six games in a row, but the substitutes always perform very well. I'm not one to complain; I trust these players, and they will handle the game."

“Sagliakas has resumed full training, but whether he can start remains to be seen. He can bring fighting spirit, energy and a bit of 'madness' to the team, and it's good to have a player like him, whether he starts or not. Jackson Irving has returned from suspension, but Fujita Joru is suspended. As for Eric Smith, the situation is a bit worrying, and we'll have to see if he can make it back for the game.”

Brussing continued, "Cologne has played two games under new coach Rene Wagner. Against Werder Bremen, they dominated in numbers for a long time, making it difficult to draw conclusions from that match. Against Eintracht Frankfurt, they showed a different side. Rene Wagner has high hopes for some players, which is reflected in the performances of some of them. We must anticipate some changes and respond accordingly. The most important thing is how we get into the game; that's the key focus."

"From what we saw in the first leg, El Mara is extremely fast and can break through in high-speed attacks, so we must suppress him as soon as possible. Ragnar Aher is a target man who can not only receive the ball well with his back to goal, but also make effective passes. Cologne has strength in attack, and we must make it as difficult for them as possible. We need to be well-organized, daring to challenge, and combine our experience from the first leg to ensure that our defensive structure is more complete."

Furthermore, when discussing the challenges of avoiding relegation, Blissing said, "It's very important to stay calm. We are very aware of our current situation, but everything is still in our own hands. We need to stay relaxed while maintaining a clear tactical plan. Staying relaxed is crucial because any additional pressure will hinder our performance, although we also know that we cannot completely eliminate this pressure."

“We must handle this the right way and find the right balance. If I show nervousness in front of the team, it won't do the team any good; I must convey calmness. If we want to achieve our goals, we must make sure everyone understands their role and fully recognizes our abilities and strengths in every aspect.”

Image source: Internet