Coach Christian Eichner looked for a last-minute upset Karlsruhe SC against SV Elversberg. Defensive veteran Marcel Franke spoke critically of temporary “class differences.” The visitors’ decisive score of 2:3 (0:1) only came in stoppage time, but the defeat could have been worse.
“We could have had six or seven if we were honest. In the end, it was a defeat we deserved,” said Franke, who made a sloppy move before conceding the first goal.
A double package from Šimić only made KSC celebrate briefly
Roko Šimić’s double package was not enough for KSC to get a point. The newcomer, who had been performing poorly for a long time, made up for the deficit twice (62nd/83rd minute). But after many missed opportunities, Elversberg’s Felix Keidel’s winning goal was well deserved (90+4).
“We didn’t play for more than 95 minutes, with or without the ball. “We have a lot to do,” complained Eichner. Simic also said: “That’s unacceptable. We can’t play like that.”
In eighth place, KSC is stuck in the middle of the standings and, now five points behind third-placed Elversberg, has lost touch with the top teams in the 2nd Bundesliga. “If we play like we did today – then we don’t need to look up,” Franke said.
A gift from KSC defense
The starting point for Elversberg’s lead was a pass from KSC goalkeeper Hans Christian Bernat to Franke. The defender abused the ball against the on-rushing former Karlsruher Bambasé Conté – and Younes Ebnoutalib was able to easily finish after crossing (26). Franke had taken penalties in previous matches in a 2-1 win against FC Schalke 04 and a 0-4 defeat at Bielefeld.
“Of course we fought back, but we felt like we made it 2-1. It hurt a lot. Of course, my thing started in the first half,” explained Franke.
Apart from Ebnoutalib, Lukas Petkov (66) successfully hosted his guest – before Keidel brought the final point in front of 31,909 spectators. “I think we played a disastrous first half,” said Marvin Wanitzek, criticizing “naive” behavior.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251123-930-330776/3
