After the 0: 3 in Karlsruhe, Nuremberg’s captain speaks plain language. Coach Klauss is increasingly in need of explanation and under pressure. A former “club” hero still scores for the winner.
Karlsruhe (dpa/lby) – The alarming drop in performance at 1. FC Nürnberg continues even after the international break. And that’s why the captain spoke plainly after the 0: 3 (0: 1) at Karlsruher SC on Sunday. “It was a bottomless performance from us,” said defender Christopher Schindler after the game on TV channel Sky. He sees an acute need for action at the second division soccer team: “The time to talk is over at some point.”
For the “Club” it was the third away defeat in a row. Only one of the last five games has been won. Coach Robert Klauss is increasingly in need of explanation. The 37-year-old stood in the rain at the Wildpark Stadium on Sunday. It’s easy to “always identify the coach as the weakest link,” said Schindler, who sees the players as responsible: “I don’t think it’s up to the coach.”
The former “Club” hero Fabian Schleusener initiated the next low for FCN with a header in the 45th minute. Full-back Philip Heise (78th) with a cracking left-footed shot and the busy midfielder Marvin Wanitzek (82nd) ??increased for KSC with a double strike in the final phase. Schindler said the performance was very difficult to explain: “It was pretty much the worst thing I’ve seen from us.” At times one “acted like a victim”. Consequence: “At some point it will rattle.”
The “club” did not take place again in the first half. Goalkeeper Christian Mathenia prevented several goals against Schleusener, Wanitzek and Marcel Franke. The KSC was dominant. After the break, the “Club”-Elf reared up temporarily, but was unsuccessful. Defensive talent Sadik Fofana heads just wide (48′). Substitute Manuel Wintzheimer tested KSC goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck with a long-range shot (71st). That was all. The “club” is close to the relegation zone – and the work of Klauss is being questioned. “We keep tipping over,” commented Schindler. Internally it must now “bang”.
