"St. Paul's midfield prodigies require some additional refinement" or "St. Paul's midfield stars need more fine-tuning"
St. Pauli's Central Midfield Dilemma: Schmitz and Schmidt Under the Spotlight
In a recent interview, St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin admitted that the absence of a central midfielder has caused significant problems for the team. This revelation came after a 1:1 draw against Holstein Kiel, a match that offered valuable insights for two young players, Marwin Schmitz and Nick Schmidt.
In an attempt to fill the void, Schmitz and another player formed a duo, but Blessin noted that they struggled to find their footing in a double-six formation, particularly in the role of a clear defensive midfielder. The coach observed that both players were a bit wild in their performances, and their poor positioning and slow reactions during the Kiel match led to the conceded goal.
Despite these challenges, Blessin emphasised the potential in Schmitz and Schmidt. The duo made notable appearances, with Schmidt following in the footsteps of Schmitz, who made waves last season with his impressive performances in St. Pauli's preparations, including scoring a goal against Olympique Lyon.
Blessin highlighted the importance of a central midfielder, using James Sands as an example. Sands, a big name player who serves as inspiration for Schmitz and Schmidt, has demonstrated the levels of performance the young duo aspire to reach. Sands guided Schmitz during the Kiel match, offering valuable lessons.
However, Blessin stressed that Schmitz and Schmidt need to pay more attention to each other in their performances and learn how players like Sands, Joel Chima Fujita, and Jackson Irvine manage their positions. The coach also mentioned that the path to the professional level might still be long for the duo.
Despite the setbacks, Schmidt has been making strides. He was included in the squad for the DFB-Pokal game against Norderstedt and the recent derby against HSV, demonstrating his growing importance to the team. Schmidt joined Schmitz after the break in the Kiel match, offering a glimmer of hope for a more solidified midfield in the future.
Nick Schmidt, a year younger than Schmitz, made waves this summer by participating in St. Pauli's entire preparation. His performances in these matches have shown promise, and he is quickly becoming a crucial part of the team's plans.
As St. Pauli continues to navigate their midfield issues, the development of Schmitz and Schmidt will be a key factor in their success. The duo, under the guidance of coach Blessin and the inspiration of players like Sands, Fujita, and Irvine, are poised to play a significant role in the team's future.
