Bundesliga newcomers reflect on opening day losses: “We have to learn quickly.”

Bundesliga newcomers Holstein Kiel surprised many with a relatively courageous performance in their debut match in the German top-flight. Though the ended up dropping their opening day fixture 2-3 away at Hoffenheim, the “Schleswig-Holstein Storks” did score two goals; one of which came after the squad had been reduced to ten-men late. 

Were it not for an early miscalculation from Kiel keeper Timon Weiner. The Bundesliga debutant rushed out to meet the on-rushing Marius Bülter in the 4th minute. After the Kiel net-minder irresponsibly taking Bülter out, Hoffenheim were able to take an early lead from the penalty spot. Weiner was quick to take responsibility afterwards. 

”I misjudged the long ball, it’s my fault and I’m sorry for the lads,” Weiner told the Sky microphones afterwards, “The intensity in the first division is greater. Everyone is a bit faster.”

“If we have phases in which we are courageous and aggressive we can keep up,” newly appointed Kiel skipper Lewis Holtby added in his interview, “But if we have phases in we’re a bit timid, then we’ll be punished in this league.”

Holtby is no stranger to the German top flight, having made a combined 200 appearances for Schalke, Bochum, Mainz, and HSV. St. Pauli’s Johannes Eggestein – once a mainstay at SV Werder Bremen with his brother Maximilian – also knows what it takes to succeed in the top division. The 26-year-old striker netted five Bundesliga goals in his 47 league deployments for his other Hanseatic City State club. 

St. Pauli’s home loss on Sunday was doubly particularly frustrating as the Hamburg club had plenty of opportunities to score against Heidenheim. Paul Wanner’s opening goal even came off a quick counter when Hauke Wahl failed to convert an excellent opportunity after a corner. Connor Metcalfe – who missed his fair share of chances on the day – was chastised by St. Pauli head-coach Alexander Blessin for not committing a tactical foul on to stop the rush. 

“That goal was the breaking point,” Eggestein said afterwards, “It took us out psychologically. The difference between the first division and the second is that we have to take our chances because we might not get a second or third. We have to learn that quickly because we’ll need that effectiveness this season.”

“It can’t be that Heidenheim can simply run through in the build-up,” Hauke added when discussing Metcalfe’s decision not to stop the counter, “we have to commit the foul.”

“We have to be dirty in the scene,” Blessin said, “There you commit the tactical foul and get the yellow card. We paid the price for that.”