Many are still shaking their heads in awe of what they are seeing: „We are about to face an opponent who are good, confident and have achieved something astounding in the league so far”, said Thomas Schaaf
Many are still shaking their heads in awe of what they are seeing: „We are about to face an opponent who are good, confident and have achieved something astounding in the league so far”, said Thomas Schaaf
Many are still shaking their heads in awe of what they are seeing: „We are about to face an opponent who are good, confident and have achieved something astounding in the league so far”, said Thomas Schaaf ahead of his sides up-coming clash with first division new comers Karlsruhe SC on Saturday, 10.11.2007 at the Weser Stadium. KSC have made a stunning return to the Bundesliga after ten years in the second division wilderness and are currently sitting comfortably in fourth place in the table. With a third of the season already over, the newly promoted club have made their mark and made people sit up and take notice – not just in Bremen either.
6 games, 14 points, zero defeats and just one goal against
After a fantastic second division season last year, Karlsruhe never left the promotion places and have continued in the same fashion since returning to the top flight. With 12 games played, trainer Edmund Becker have seven wins to their credit and have failed to pick up points on only three occasions, against Hanover, Leverkusen and Bayern Munich Their 1:4 defeat by Bayern was some six games ago and since then KSC have been unbeatable. “It’s a wonderful situation for them. Surely no-one in Karlsruhe would have expected them to be doing so well”, remarked Thomas Schaaf.
To continue looking at the current SC record. The club have not been beaten away from home in their last four trips and have so far only suffered defeat at the BayArena. Even more impressively, in their last six appearances they have picked up 14 points and conceded just one single goal when Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Worns scored a consolation for his side as they crashed 3:1 at the ‘Wildparkstadion’.
Werder coach Schaaf is not at all surprised by the new-comers fabulous record: “They have a defensive touch to their style of play but they are extremely mobile. Their forward players work hard when they are retreating and can then switch the play very quickly.” If it’s all a question of tactics, then Ede Becker has perfected that particular issue with his men. “With Timm and Carnell they have two players who can break with pace and look to finish. They are supported by the full-backs very well too”, acknowledged Schaaf.
A quick review
Ten years ago things were very different. The last appearance of KSC in Bremen saw them approach the task with a seven man defence. Striker Markus Schroth and his provider Icke Häßler put on what was pretty much the performance of their lives and despite the defensive tactics of trainer Winnie Schäfer, his side won the tie 4:2. Schroth scored a hat-trick and Häbler was credited with four assists for his side on the night. On the whole though, Werder have had few problems with the side from Baden-Württemberg and in the league and cup competitions combined they have won 16 from 22 meetings.
Karlsruhe SC will travel to the Weser Stadium filled with confidence but know they also have some work to do and some issues to deal with. Following the serious injury to first choice keeper Markus Miller, the visitors must now keep faith in the relatively inexperienced Frenchman Jean-Francois Kornetzky who has so far made a mere four Bundesliga appearances for KSC. At the other end, the front men have been anything but potent with Freis, Iashvili,Kapllani, Orahovac and Timm notching up just three goals between them. Albanian Kapllani is still in search of his first top flight goal after having scored 17 last season in the second division. To add to his troubles he failed to convert from the penalty spot last weekend.
There are others responsible for KSC’s effectivity. The defenders have managed six goals between them with captain Mario Eggimann with three to his name, but the new signing for the midfield Tamas Hajnal is proving a top signing. The new man from Kaiserslautern has effectively replaced last seasons best player in the second division, Giovanni Federico (17 goals and 14 assists) who left Karlsruhe for Borussia Dortmund. Hajnal has himself scored three so far and provided for six of KSC’s 14 goals. Thomas Schaaf summed up the situation by commenting: “At the moment everything is going in their favour. We will have to see to it that we are the stronger side on Saturday.” It will be no easy task for the home side but one they are very capable of completing.
Johnnie Muldoon
