Rothe after sinking former club: “I still care about Kiel.”

Former Holstein Kiel teammates Tom Rothe and Nicolai Remberg understandably had differing viewpoints on yesterday’s Bundesliga result at Holstein Stadium. 

German left-back Tom Rothe continues to thrive in his first season playing German top flight football. On Sunday afternoon, the 19-year-old proved the decisive factor against his former loan club Holstein Kiel. The former Dortmund academy man set up one goal and scored another for his current club, 1. FC Union Berlin, in a 2-0 away victory.

Rothe played an enormously significant role in Kiel’s promotion last season. The fact that he sunk his old side at Holstein Stadium yesterday irked former teammate Nicolai Remberg. Rothe’s close friend – in a half-joking, half-serious manner – registered his discontent with German broadcaster DAZN. 

“The fact that he scored here really gets on my nerves,” Remberg noted in his post-match interview, “I’m generally happy for him, but he could have let it be today.” 

“It was nice [to come back],” Rothe added in his own DAZN post-match interview, “A few emotions and memories cropped up. I do feel a little sorry for Kiel because I still care about them.”

“When the whistle blows it’s time to focus on the pitch,” the Germany U21 international nevertheless concluded, “I’m glad we won, but still wish Kiel all the best for the season.”