Best start to the season in 18 years: KSC counters the sceptics – Football

Sebastian Freis is in a great mood. Karlsruher SC’s impressive start to the season has strengthened the sporting director’s belief that the second division team is on the right track.

The success proves the KSC right

The Baden team’s squad planning this summer was viewed with some scepticism from the outside. However, the results so far prove them right. In the league, KSC made its best start in 18 years with ten points from four games and is second in the table. In the DFB Cup, it comfortably progressed one round. Now Freis and Co. need to resolve the coaching issue if possible.

High hurdles after the international break

“One or two games could have gone the other way,” said Freis after the successful start. The last two games against Elversberg (3:2) and in Braunschweig (2:1), for example.

“The way we perform, with unity, mentality and intensity, obviously helps us to get them on our side,” explained the 39-year-old. Freis is impressed, but remains humble. After all, Karlsruhe has a tough schedule ahead of them after the international break: first they play at home against FC Schalke 04 (September 13), then they play 1. FC Magdeburg and 1. FC Cologne.

“After these three games, we can better assess which direction things are going,” said Freis. “The trend is definitely right at the moment.”

In the long term, KSC wants to return to the Bundesliga

There are still no offensive announcements from the Wildpark. If Karlsruhe had messed up the start, their sometimes bold personnel planning would probably have come back to haunt them. Regardless of who played how much in the end: With the veterans Lars Stindl, Jérôme Gondorf and Daniel Brosinski, the club lost a lot of experience and three personalities in the dressing room in the summer.

“We were convinced of our path and our strategy from the beginning,” said Freis. Regular goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was transferred to Bochum and replaced by homegrown player Max Weiß. The 20-year-old, according to the sports director, “represents the path from our own youth team to the professional squad.” A kind of prototype of the Karlsruhe concept.

“Good conversations” with coach Christian Eichner

Despite all the departures, one important axis has remained: defensive leader Marcel Franke, playmaker Marvin Wanitzek and striker Budu Ziwziwadze still play key roles. The starting lineup seems to have worked well together, and jokers like new signing Andrin Hunziker bring fresh impetus.

“Especially on the bench, he senses a good spirit,” said coach Christian Eichner recently. That is “indispensable” for a club like KSC.

Speaking of Eichner: The stalemate over a possible contract extension with the 41-year-old has also been followed with extreme skepticism for months. Perhaps there will be new movement in the personnel matter soon. “We are in daily contact and in good discussions,” said Freis. Eichner’s current contract expires at the end of the season. He recently further expressed his negotiating position – due to the good start with the KSC.