Overview
- FC St. Pauli said Eric Smith has a structural muscle injury in his left calf and is unavailable for now.
- Local reporting indicates he will miss the trip to Union Berlin and is likely out for the Bayern match that follows.
- With Tomoya Ando limited by adductor trouble and not ready to start, coaches are set to use a back three of Hauke Wahl in the middle, Karol Mets on the left, and Adam Dzwigala on the right.
- Smith’s absence hurts St. Pauli’s build-up play because he often starts attacks with accurate forward passes from the back line.
- The setback also cost him a first Sweden cap, a missed chance teammates said was especially disappointing.