Holstein Kiel on the brink: Coach Rapp is fighting to stay in the league!

Holstein Kiel on the brink: Coach Rapp is fighting to stay in the league!

After 15 matchdays in the Bundesliga, Holstein Kiel finds itself in a direct relegation zone after the team was only able to record two wins. Coach Marcel Rapp expressed confidence and believes that KSV can stay in the league as long as the players continue to learn and develop.

However, the club's situation is tense. There is hope after a convincing 5-1 win over Augsburg, but the team has serious problems to address. Holstein Kiel has the weakest defense in the league, conceding 38 goals, which corresponds to an average of 1.2 goals conceded per game. The defense in the central area is particularly vulnerable, which indicates a lack of compactness and inadequate tackling. Central defender David Zec is identified as an important personnel problem.

Statistical analysis and defensive problems

Additionally, the GSN index is led by Zec, whose current value is 62.71, which is below average. The possible value is 64.99, which is only considered solid. On average, Holstein Kiel loses the ball 46 times per game in its own half, which puts it in 16th place. Furthermore, they allow almost 16 opposing shots per game and, with a high Expected Goals Against (xGA) value of over two per game, they are in 17th place in this category.

In addition, the KSV has difficulty recovering effectively after losing the ball, with zero percent after ten seconds, which means last place (18th place). On offense, the team struggles with weaknesses in passing, crossing and dribbling and creates an average of fewer than ten shots per game (18th place). A central midfielder is identified as a much-needed addition, while Coach Rapp emphasizes that new players must be both better and affordable.

The 5-3-2 formation is considered potentially the best formation for Holstein Kiel. In the friendly against Union Berlin (2-1), the wing play showed improvements. A possible line-up for the team in this formation could be Weiner – Puchacz, Geschwill, Zec, Ivezic, Rosenboom – Remberg, Holtby, Knudsen – Machino, Pichler. Rapp remains optimistic that KSV can stay in the league if the players continue to develop.

For additional statistical background on the performance of Holstein Kiel, such as that from FBref.com reports, the platform provides comprehensive data and analysis covering the entire history of the FIFA Women's World Cup as well as major international competitions and documenting team performances.

– Submitted by West-East media