Holstein Kiel is still a little shy about 2024. The first three points are to be earned against Schalke at the fourth attempt.

On Sunday (1:30 p.m.), FC Schalke 04 will travel to Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga 2. The stadium is sold out, with 1,000 visitors from Gelsenkirchen in attendance. On paper, the matter is clear: Kiel is playing for promotion, while the Royal Blues are stuck in the second division basement.

But it doesn’t seem that simple these days. After a really strong first half of the season, Kiel is not getting off to a good start in 2024. After three games, the team of coach Marcel Rapp is still waiting for its first win.

They lost to Braunschweig and Fürth, and only managed a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Magdeburg. In addition, the coach has to do without numerous players against Schalke. Fiete Arp (torn adductor tendon), Alexander Bernhardsson, Aurel Wagbe (both ill), Lewis Holtby (5th yellow card), Carl Johansson (patella tendon problems), Benedikt Pichler (groin problems) and Philipp Sander (recovering from hematoma inflammation in the lower leg) are not available to Rapp.

It will be correspondingly difficult for the third on Sunday. Before the 90 minutes, Rapp emphasized at the press conference: “In terms of personnel, we still have options for absorbing the losses. You shouldn’t always think about what happened in the previous round. There was another small upheaval, but I’m sure we’ll manage with the players who are there.”

From Kiel’s point of view, it would be best to beat Schalke. Rapp has great respect for the opponent – even though his playing time has not gone as planned so far. “We have an absolutely top opponent coming. If you look at the names, it’s top-notch. Nevertheless, we see our chance if we play well defensively and are variable in offense. That’s what characterizes us. I think the spectators can look forward to a great game.”

Now it’s time to take another shot at our first win against Schalke

Marcel Rapp

Because after three games without a win, the Holstein coach certainly doesn’t want to talk about a crisis. His opinion: “The guys left everything out on the pitch against Magdeburg, that’s the basis. If you analyze the game soberly as a coach, then it was obvious that we had too little relief after the break. Now it’s time to take a new approach against Schalke for the first three points.”