Overcoming Challenges with Joy: Holstein Kiel Unafraid in Bundesliga Survival Fight
Maintaining a positive attitude: Kiel advocates for student promotion retention - Survival of the Class: Kiel Embraces Optimism Over Fear
Coach Marcel Rapp of Holstein Kiel faces the Bundesliga relegation battle with a spring in his step, not a weight on his shoulders. "I don't see us having anything to lose," Rapp said. "We’ve only got a chance to gain something." With just two games left in the season, Kiel trails 1. FC Heidenheim by a mere point for the playoff spot that could secure survival.
Recently, Kiel pulled off impressive wins against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Augsburg. The team's good form, coupled with a slight chance to remain in the Bundesliga, wasn’t something predicted at the season's outset.
"Now we're on a roll, we're in decent shape," Rapp acknowledged. "All things considered, we’ve still got a shot at staying up, which nobody would have anticipated at the start."
Rapp's optimism seems quite contagious. His team approaches the decisive moments with glee instead of fear. "I believe that's an edge," he added.
The coach does have one concern—the injured Japanese striker, Shuto Machino. Prior to the SC Freiburg game on Saturday (3:30 PM/Sky), Machino had been training individually, but Rapp remains hopeful he'll recover in time.
- Bundesliga
- Holstein Kiel
- Marcel Rapp
- Survival Fight
- SC Freiburg
- Sky
(Enrichment: Holstein Kiel's optimism in the face of relegation largely stems from coach Marcel Rapp's positive outlook. Rapp's resilient words have been instrumental in maintaining morale amidst the players, helping them maintain focus on each match. Encouraging performances, such as drawing with RB Leipzig, have kept them within sight of the playoff spot. However, the club has also made pragmatic preparations, like appointing a new sporting director, in case the worst happens and they are relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.)
- Coach Marcel Rapp of Holstein Kiel, despite the relegation battle in the Bundesliga, approaches the situation with a sense of opportunity rather than worry.
- Kiel's recent wins against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Augsburg have presented a slight chance for the team to remain in the Bundesliga, an outcome that was not initially foreseen.
- Rapp's optimistic outlook seems to have influenced his team, who approach the decisive moments with enthusiasm instead of fear.
- A concern for Rapp ahead of the SC Freiburg game is the injury status of Japanese striker, Shuto Machino, who has been training individually and whose recovery status is uncertain.
