Holstein Kiel: Opportunities to exploit opportunities remains weak before the start of the season

Holstein Kiel: Opportunities to exploit opportunities remains weak before the start of the season

The stage for Holstein Kiel is prepared, but preparations for the new Bundesliga season show significant challenges. Two weeks before the first competitive game at TSG Hoffenheim, the storks are looking for the necessary finishing touches after a further test game defeat against the French newcomer AS St. Etienne. This not only illustrates the sporting goals of the association, but also reflects the expectations and concerns of the fans behind their team.

test game defeats as the course position

after the fourth defeat in a row, which also resulted against opponents such as Kaiserslautern (0: 1), Mönchengladbach (0: 1) and Mainz (0: 2), Kiel's new captain Lewis Holtby is calm, but points out the weaknesses in the team. "It would be worse if we had four defeats in the league," said the 33-year-old. In his opinion, they have to work on the efficiency in the exploitation of opportunities, since the team was often unsuccessful in the last encounters despite many opportunities. Holtby announcement is clear: the players have to use their possibilities better so as not to stumble in the league.

A look at the performance in the test game

Despite the defeat against AS St. Etienne, which took place in front of around 1200 spectators in the youth performance center, the Kieler could pull positive approaches out of the game. Good combinations and controlled phases of the game were recognizable. With goals through Shuto Machino (39th, penalty) and Marko Ivezic (97th), the storks show that they are also capable of an offensive in critical moments. Nevertheless, the French were more effective by met three times (Ibrahim Sissoko 65, Benjamin Old 69 and Jibril Othman 105).

The voices for the learning process

Head coach Marcel Rapp sees the current phase as a learning process in which his team is required to adapt to the challenges. With a view to the next week, Rapp appeals to his players: "We have to score the goals at the right moment." With the newcomers Magnus Knudsen and Tymoteusz Puchacz, the trainer shows the ambitions to further develop his system and prepare optimally for the coming season.

The meaning for the community

The upcoming games in the DFB Cup round against Alemannia Aachen are not only a sporting, but also a social challenge for Kiel. The fans, who are loyal to the club, ensure that this ascent is not only sporty, but also critical of the community. The preparations and the mentality of the team are crucial for whether the promoted team can set an example and establish itself in the Bundesliga.