After the defeat to 1. FC Nürnberg, Holstein Kiel captain Steven Skrzybski urged his teammates to convert chances more consistently. Despite a high xGoals value of 3.45, the Kiel side scored only two goals. The club has managed just 31 goals in 26 season matches.
Holstein Kiel is battling relegation. On the past Saturday, the team lost to 1. FC Nürnberg despite achieving an xGoals value of 3.45 and scoring only two goals. Numerous big chances went unconverted—a recurring season issue. In 26 matches, the Kielers have scored just 31 goals, fewer than Preußen Münster (30), Eintracht Braunschweig (29), and Fortuna Düsseldorf (26). Trainer Tim Walter, recently appointed, aims to restore lightness to the squad. Captain Steven Skrzybski, 33, is particularly frustrated by a missed chance near the end against Nürnberg. „The night after preoccupied me greatly. In our situation, that's somewhat normal. I love the sport too much to switch it off,“ Skrzybski said. He stressed: „Now we have to make them, otherwise it's all nonsense.“ Walter is training finishes in small-sided games to build success experiences. „It's about the number of repetitions. Strikers miss chances too, but the more you shoot, the higher the probability of scoring,“ Skrzybski explained. „It's about not losing faith in ourselves.“ After a 1.5-month injury layoff (adductor muscle bundle tear), Skrzybski played 30 minutes against Nürnberg. Ahead of the VfL Bochum match on Sunday (1:30 p.m.), he could return to the starting lineup, especially with Alexander Bernhardsson injured. „The minutes against Nürnberg were fine, and we'll see over the week what it allows,“ he said. On the captain's armband: „I'd prefer if we had eleven captains on the pitch this weekend.“