Injury Woes Plague Holstein Kiel Ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt Clash
Holstein Kiel, facing a mounting injury crisis, suffered another blow with the withdrawal of winter acquisition John Tolkin ahead of Sunday’s crucial encounter with Champions League contenders Eintracht Frankfurt (5:30 PM CET / DAZN). Tolkin, an American defender, has been battling thigh problems and has recently started twice in the Kiel lineup, primarily on the left flank.
"We’ve already tried several options on the left," said manager Marcel Rapp. "Whoever plays there won’t be doing it for the first time."
Kiel’s injury list also includes long-term absentees Alexandr Bernhardsson (patellar tendon), Patrick Erras (concussion), Marvin Schulz (adductor), and Colin Kleine-Bekel (cruciate ligament rupture). Additionally, Steven Skrzybski, who has scored three goals in his last three appearances, is unavailable due to muscular issues sustained in the 2:2 draw against VfL Bochum last weekend. Goalkeeper Timon Weiner has also been sidelined by a bout of flu.
Despite the depleted squad and the disappointing stalemate against bottom-of-the-table Bochum, Rapp remains upbeat about his team’s league position. "We would have signed up for this before the season, with 12 or 13 games still to play and only one point behind the relegation playoff spot," he said.
"Some people may have thought that Kiel would be out of the running by now and have no chance of staying up. But the trend is going in the right direction. We’re starting to get points, we’re competitive, and we’re still in the fight."
Tolkin’s absence deals a significant blow to Kiel’s defensive options. The 24-year-old has made 14 appearances since joining from New England Revolution in January, becoming a regular starter in recent weeks. His versatility and physical presence will be missed against Frankfurt’s attacking firepower.
Skrzybski’s unavailability is another setback for Kiel’s offense. The 30-year-old forward has been in excellent form since joining from Sandhausen, scoring six goals in 10 appearances. His pace and finishing ability will be crucial against a Frankfurt defense that has conceded just once in their last four Bundesliga matches.
Rapp will have to shuffle his lineup to cope with the injury crisis, and he may be forced to deploy unproven youngsters or players out of position. However, he remains confident in his team’s ability to compete against Frankfurt.
"We’re still in the relegation battle, but we’re not giving up," he said. "We showed against Bochum that we can create chances and score goals. We’re ready for the challenge against Frankfurt."
