Holstein Kiel are still a little unfamiliar with the year 2024. They are aiming for their first three-pointer at the fourth attempt against Schalke.

FC Schalke 04 must travel to Holstein Kiel in the 2nd Bundesliga on Sunday (13:30). The stadium is sold out, 1000 visitors from Gelsenkirchen have announced their attendance. On paper, the situation is clear: Kiel are playing for promotion, the Royal Blues are stuck in the second division basement.

But it doesn’t seem to be that simple these days. After a really strong first half of the season, Kiel cannot get going in 2024. After three games, coach Marcel Rapp’s team are still waiting for their first win.

There were defeats against Braunschweig and Fürth, and only a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Magdeburg. The coach will also be without a number of players against Schalke. Fiete Arp (torn tendon in the adductor area), Alexander Bernhardsson, Aurel Wagbe (both ill), Lewis Holtby (5th yellow card), Carl Johansson (patella tendon problems), Benedikt Pichler (groin problems) and Philipp Sander (recovery from haematoma inflammation in the lower leg) will not be available for Rapp.

This will make things correspondingly difficult for the third-placed team on Sunday. Before the 90 minutes, Rapp emphasized at the press conference: “In terms of personnel, we still have options to make up for the absences. You shouldn’t always think about what happened in the previous round. There’s been a bit of a shake-up, I’m sure we’ll manage it with the players we have.”

From Kiel’s point of view, the best time is against Schalke. Rapp has great respect for his opponents – even if the season has not gone as well as he would have liked. “They’re coming up against an absolute top opponent. If you look at the names, they’re top class. Nevertheless, we see our chance if we stand well defensively and are variable offensively. That’s what sets us apart. I think the spectators can look forward to a great match. “

Now it’s time to make another attempt for the first three-pointer against Schalke

Marcel Rapp

After three games without a win, the Holstein coach certainly doesn’t want to talk about a crisis. His opinion: “The boys left everything 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 we have to try again against Schalke to get our first three-pointer. “