Slaying Promotions with Hartel and St. Pauli
Who better to discuss FC St. Pauli's promotion ambitions than Marcel Hartel (27)? With twice previously lifting the club from the 2nd division to the Bundesliga — first in 2019 with Union Berlin, then in 2020 with Arminia Bielefeld — Hartel is no stranger to big leagues.
But after two failed attempts with the Kiez club, he's back for round three.
GEARING UP FOR GLORY WITH ST. PAULI
Promotion? Hartel avoids the term altogether. Instead, he talks about dreams and grit.
The midfield maestro: "Dreams are vital. Achieving these dreams requires constant effort and consistency. That's what we're doing right now, so we need to keep pushing and build upon our performances to avoid slipping up somewhere and falling behind. Consistency will ultimately pay off."
Hartel knows the score. Back in the 2021/22 season, St. Pauli stormed through the first half with aplomb, earning themselves the coveted title of fall champions. Yet, a less-than-stellar second half thwarted their promotion quest.
WHAT WENT WRONG? PORTALS TO PROGRESS
"Hard to pinpoint," says Hartel. "In the previous seasons, we struggled with consistency on the pitch. We needed to play the first half as well as the second, or vice versa, but this didn't happen. Moving forward, we need to work hard and ensure that we perform consistently throughout both halves of the season. That's our objective, and it's what we're aiming for."
Looking at the table isn't off-limits for Hartel, but he doesn't obsess over it daily.
"Of course, we keep track of our standing. Knowing where we stand gives us confidence, but you can't let it consume you," Hartel shares.
PIPEDREAMS TO REALITY: ST. PAULI'S PATHTO FORTUNE
Revitalized tactics, formidable transfers, and a united front are just some of the factors Hartel believes can propel St. Pauli to the Bundesliga this time around.
- Tactical Tweaks: New coach Alexander Blessin wants to keep the team's defensive quality while improving their offensive capabilities. Although St. Pauli has only conceded 20 goals, they need to be more clinical in the final third.
- Key Signings: With the arrival of Noah Weißhaupt on loan from Freiburg and Abdoulie Ceesay, St. Pauli gained a goal-scoring threat at their disposal. The team's struggle to find the back of the net, especially away from home, will likely improve with their recent acquisitions.
- Boosts in Confidence: Morale-boosting performances have been crucial in recent victories, reinforcing the team's faith in their ability to hold their ground in the league.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Blessin's tactical adaptations have proven successful in the face of different opponents, making the team far more versatile than in years past.
By leveraging these strengths, FC St. Pauli can push past the accumulated challenges that have hindered their climb to the Bundesliga thus far, and finally make it third time lucky.
