The fact that the duel between FC St. Pauli and Holstein Kiel is taking place in the Bundesliga is a small football miracle. But now success counts in everyday life – but for one player it will be a very special game.
It was already clear to everyone involved before the season that the meeting between FC St. Pauli and Holstein Kiel on matchday 12 would be a basement duel. And yet the mood among the two newcomers is bad before the direct comparison at Hamburg’s Millerntor this Friday (8.30 p.m./DAZN). The recent performances of the two North German newcomers last Sunday were too disappointing.
With the exception of the final minutes, FC St. Pauli had no chance at all in the 2-0 defeat in Mönchengladbach, while Holstein Kiel was even desolate in the 3-0 defeat against FSV Mainz 05. However, the two coaches’ approach to reacting to each setback was different.
Clear words and reassurance
St. Pauli’s coach Alexander Blessin didn’t mince his words after the poor performance on the Lower Rhine. “We had to work through a few things,” explained Blessin and made it clear: “We don’t need to sugarcoat anything. We have to bring in more courage and intensity.”
Holstein coach Marcel Rapp, however, remained true to his motto of not letting his team down, even after poor performances. “We analyzed the game, as we do after every game,” said Rapp in a calm voice. “We were often close, Mainz was a slip-up.”
Print large on both sides
The people of Kiel can show whether this is true at the Millerntor. Another defeat and the non-relegation zone would be somewhat lost before Christmas. “Everyone can read the table and know what an important game is coming up,” Rapp also admitted. But putting additional pressure on now is the wrong approach. “Talking about it doesn’t help us. We have to think about how we can win the game, prepare very well and be mentally there.”
FC St. Pauli’s recent weakness at home gives the Kiel team hope. Hamburg haven’t scored a goal in front of their own crowd yet and have a hard time when they have to play the game themselves. However, St. Pauli did not score in the first two home games of the last second division season. Until Holstein Kiel was a guest and the Kiezkickers got rid of their frustration with a 5:1.
Last duel at Millerntor was meaningless
“Of the five goals conceded, four were goal of the month,” said Rapp, who therefore no longer attaches great importance to the result given this Friday’s game. Rather, the Holstein coach strives to continue to radiate calm. “It’s a challenge for everyone. For the club, for the players and also for me as a coach. We knew that before the season.”
Another defeat in the duel between the promoted teams could take away any hope of successfully mastering this challenge early in the season. “Everyone has to work to the limit when Holstein Kiel plays in the Bundesliga. If we don’t manage to do that, it will be difficult,” Rapp said clearly.
Hauke Wahl, who played in Kiel for years before moving to Millerntor in 2023, also chose this. “The hut will burn,” the defender announced after an intense game. “We really want to celebrate our first home win.”
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