Concerns Mount as Karlsruher SC Battles Illness Outbreak
Karlsruher SC is facing a major setback as an outbreak of colds threatens to disrupt their upcoming match against FC Schalke 04. The Zweite Bundesliga side has been struggling with illnesses, with training sessions being severely affected.
"We only had 13 players available in training this week," lamented head coach Christian Eichner, two days before the Sunday game (13:30 CEST/Sky) at the Veltins-Arena.
Eichner admitted that he was unable to make any predictions for the match. "At the moment, it’s going to be down to today (Friday) to see who will be available and who will be able to play," he said, referring to the players who are currently battling colds.
Should David Herold or Marcel Beifus be ruled out, it would further destabilize the defense, which has already conceded nine goals in the second half of the season. Moreover, Eichner expressed doubts over the availability of right-back Sebastian Jung, who is also suffering from illness.
"He’s in a worse condition than the other two," Eichner said, acknowledging the team’s defensive struggles.
Despite the challenging situation, the KSC coach is determined to remain optimistic about the upcoming match. After all, the Veltins-Arena holds special memories for Eichner from his playing days.
"It reminds me of so many great Champions League evenings," he said. "And a piece of that legend sits in my coaching office every day."
Eichner was referring to his assistant coach, Zlatan Bajramović, who made 18 Champions League appearances for Schalke 04 during his playing career.
Eichner Expresses Confidence in Team
Despite the illness outbreak, Eichner expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform well at Schalke 04. He praised the players for their commitment and resilience in the face of adversity.
"The team has shown in the past that they can overcome difficult situations," he said. "We will need to be at our best on Sunday, but I am confident that we can get a positive result."
KSC currently sits in 11th place in the Zweite Bundesliga standings, with 24 points from 19 matches. Schalke 04, on the other hand, is in 3rd place with 32 points, just two points behind leaders Hamburger SV.
The match between Schalke 04 and Karlsruher SC will be a crucial test for both teams. Eichner’s side will be hoping to bounce back from their recent dip in form, while Schalke 04 will be looking to maintain their title challenge.
