Will Sinani continue to contend for a place in St. Paul's starting lineup?
Danel Sinani has been a notable presence in FC St. Pauli's lineup during the preseason, hinting at his likely role in the team for the 2025/26 season. While he may not be guaranteed a consistent starting spot, his contributions in recent matches and friendlies suggest he is a strong candidate to regain and maintain a starting role if his form continues.
In a test match against Coventry, Sinani demonstrated improved offensive actions, scoring a goal and showcasing his ability to play in the space where a central passing option is needed. This performance, combined with his appearances in games against Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen, and Karlsruher SC, where he scored multiple goals in the friendly against the latter, has highlighted his active involvement in the preseason preparation.
However, Sinani faces competition in the central midfield from James Sands, a defensive midfielder, and Fujita, a young and promising "box-to-box" player. Sands is predestined for the defensive part of the double-six, while Fujita is new to the team and the league. Eric Smith is also a high-quality option for the six position.
Coach Alexander Blessin has identified a lack of "offensive passing options" in the team's build-up play, and it appears that Sinani might be the solution when it comes to occupying the double-six with one player oriented defensively and one offensively. Blessin may try a different setup in the final test match, possibly with Smith and Fujita on the double-six and Hauke Wahl back in the center of defense.
Despite Sinani's strong preseason performances, there are currently indications that he might not make the starting lineup at the start of the season. Andréas Hountondji plays as a central striker in the offensive center, flanked by Mathias Pereira Lage and Oladapo Afolyan on the wings. Sinani seems to be the fourth choice in the current lineup for the double six.
Sinani's absence from the test match against Nizza was due to slight back problems, but he is now listed as part of the squad and included in various fixtures and statistical reports for FC St. Pauli up to early August 2025.
In conclusion, while the final decisions regarding the starting lineup will depend on ongoing tactical choices and competition within the squad, it is reasonable to conclude that Danel Sinani is very likely to regain a starting spot in FC St. Pauli's lineup for the upcoming season. His preseason form, involvement, and contributions have shown his value to the team, and if he continues to perform at this level, he is likely to secure a regular starting position.
During the preseason, Danel Sinani's impressive performances and goal-scoring exploits in matches and friendlies against various opponents, including Coventry, Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen, and Karlsruher SC, have highlighted his potential for a starting role in FC St. Pauli's lineup for the 2025/26 season. Given his active involvement and strong candidate status, it seems likely that Sinani will regain a substantial role in the team's sports strategies, particularly in the sports-analysis of the double-six, where he could compensate for the team's lack of offensive passing options.
