It’s hard to imagine that Jackson Irvine missed the first four games at the beginning of the season due to a lack of training. The Australian has always played for St. Pauli since the end of August. The all-time favorite from Down Under has particularly good memories of the first leg once morest upcoming opponent Heidenheim.
In October, Irvine entered the brown and white scorer list for the first time in the Voith Arena with two assists for Guido Burgstaller. After being 1-0 down at the break, St. Pauli won 4-2. For Irvine, however, looking back is no reason to be careless: “Especially in the first half, Heidenheim caused us big problems, it will be a difficult game once morest a team with a lot of quality.”
Irvine on St. Pauli opponent Heidenheim: “Difficult game once morest a lot of quality”
Back then, “minor adjustments during the half-time break” meant that St. Pauli was able to take control, Irvine recalls. In general, this is one of the virtues of St. Pauli: being flexible and adaptable, being able to react appropriately to situations with changes in detail. In Heidenheim it was Maximilian Dittgen who brought Daniel-Kofi Kyereh into play in midfield.
Pass to Burgstaller: Irvine prepared two St. Pauli goals in Heidenheim
The 29-year-old had to make a major adjustment himself this month: Coach Timo Schultz ordered the winger to play in central defensive six because Afeez Aremu and Eric Smith were both unavailable. “The role is new to me at St. Pauli, but I’ve played it more often in my career,” explains Irvine: “In general, it’s regarding adapting and bringing my skills to the team. Whether as a six, in a diamond or as a ten.” It only makes it less likely that he will set up two goals like in the first leg …
No stress: Irvine is used to a lot more games from England than from St. Pauli and Australia
After the Heidenheim game on Friday, Irvine will be traveling. With the Australian national team, he will play Japan in Sydney and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The “Socceroos” will probably have to win both games in order to secure the World Cup ticket – otherwise there is a risk of playoffs in June.
The stress seems to roll off him. “Tired? Never! I’m fresh as always,” says St. Pauli’s number seven with a smile: “I’ve been doing that for many years. And in the Championship, a season has 46 games and not just 34.” He trained his stamina in the second English division from 2016 to 2020. Irvine runs and runs and runs – so that it runs for St. Pauli.
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And if he does get out of breath, the followers can still give him wings. “Everyone has waited so long to play in a full stadium,” Irvine said, looking forward to the first filled Millerntor in more than two years: “Especially now, when every game is so important, fans can play a big role. That can make all the difference.”
