After two defeats, Holstein Kiel has returned to success in the 2nd Bundesliga. At Karlsruher SC there was an unchallenged 2-0 (2-0) away win on Saturday (September 30th, 2023) thanks to a double strike within three minutes from Benedikt Pichler (24th minute) and Tom Rothe (27th).
The KSC dominated the game at the beginning, but their own inability in front of the goal prevented them from getting their deserved reward. Paul Nebel scored from the best position in the penalty area, but his attempt was blocked (4th). The opportunity was even better for Marvin Wanitzek, whose shot was also saved at the last moment (6th).
KSC coach Christian Eichner analyzed this phase accordingly: “The team has to lead 2-0 before the opponent becomes really dangerous.” Karlsruhe didn’t reward itself – and Kiel took advantage of it. The opponent then simply gave goals away, said Eichner.
KSC goalkeeper Drewes prevents anything worse from happening
Benedikt Pichler kept calm from six meters and tunneled past KSC goalkeeper Patrick Drewes to make it 1-0 (24th). A little later, the guests followed up: Tom Rothe, completely free-standing, headed the ball into a two-goal lead (27′). Steven Skrzybski then missed a hand penalty and even missed the 3-0 (34th).
Drewes was able to save the penalty excellently and the question now arose: Will this give his team a boost for the comeback? It didn’t look like it at first. Towards the end of the first half, Kiel was only able to let the ball run through its own ranks for several minutes and then Drewes had to save again from Bo-Muaka Simakala (45th). The KSC presented itself as a collective in a frightening way.
Eichner reacts – but his team doesn’t
In the second half, coach Christian Eichner tried to get his team back on track with a few changes – but this had no visible effect on the pitch. Kiel defended its lead quite safely; the KSC attacks were not exactly impressive in their creativity and danger.
Nothing changed during the entire game, the KSV goal was never in danger – and because the Kiel team didn’t attach great importance to another goal, very little happened. This came in handy for the “Storks”; their double strike within three minutes was enough to regain third place in the table for the time being.
He doesn’t have much to complain about, said Kiel’s coach Marcerl Rapp. “It was a mature performance, we defended well. Then we scored on goal and had to close the sack in the first half. So the game is open the whole time.” Nevertheless, not much was burned, the “victory was deserved”.
KSC in Magdeburg, Kiel welcomes Elversberg
Karlsruher SC will be in Magdeburg on matchday 9 (Saturday, October 7th, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). A day later, Holstein Kiel meets SV Elversberg in front of a safe home crowd (1.30 p.m.).