Magdeburg secured a 2-0 victory over Holstein Kiel at the MDCC-Arena on Sunday in the third round of the 2. Bundesliga. The hosts moved up to fifth place with six points from three matches, while Kiel remained rooted at the bottom with just two points. The result extended Magdeburg's recent winning streak and ended Kiel's run of draws.
By then the match had already shown its pattern. Therkelsen picked up a yellow card in the twentieth minute, one of several cautions that would accumulate throughout the evening. Magdeburg struck twice in quick succession — Zukowski found the net in the seventy-second and seventy-third minutes before Hyrylainen added a third in the eighty-first. The hosts were a menace all night, though Kiel had plenty of possession and territory.
Kiel controlled 64 per cent of the ball and launched 143 attacks compared with Magdeburg's 73. They created three big chances to two but converted nothing. Four shots on target produced no goals, while Magdeburg's two attempts on target both found the back of the net. The visitors passed 548 times but failed to turn domination into a result.
Magdeburg's efficiency was the story. Their expected goals figure of 0.83 contrasted sharply with Kiel's 2.11, yet the scoreboard told a different tale. The hosts made 20 tackles and won 12 aerial duels, while Kiel managed 12 successful tackles and eight aerial victories. Magdeburg's goalkeeper made two saves; Kiel's keeper was called upon on no occasions.
The standings now show Magdeburg six points clear of the relegation zone, while Kiel sit seventeen places down with only two points. Three matches in and the gap is already considerable. Kiel fancy their chances of turning things around, but they will need to find a way to finish what they create.
