Eichner Dismisses Notion of Siwisiwadse Departure Being Sole Reason for KSC’s Struggles
Karlsruher SC head coach Christian Eichner has firmly rejected the notion that the club’s recent five-game winless streak can be solely attributed to the departure of striker Budu Siwisiwadse.
Refocusing on Current Issues
"I believe we have put that issue behind us," Eichner declared ahead of Saturday’s clash with 1. FC Magdeburg. "We need to focus on what we can control."
Assessing Siwisiwadse’s Impact
Eichner acknowledged that the loss of Siwisiwadse, who joined 1. FC Heidenheim in the winter transfer window, was significant. However, he emphasized that it should not overshadow other factors contributing to KSC’s current form.
"We must be realistic about the impact of Siwisiwadse’s departure. Linking our ball losses in the second half against Schalke solely to his absence is a stretch," he said.
Underlying Problems Persist
According to Eichner, many of the team’s current challenges existed during the first half of the season, even when Siwisiwadse was present. "We just didn’t have to address them because everyone was fit," he explained.
However, with the emergence of injuries and suspensions, KSC’s reliance on depth has exposed some limitations. "When availability challenges arise, we need every player to contribute," Eichner stated.
No Surprises in Team’s Struggles
Eichner expressed that the current slump is not entirely unexpected, given the club’s decision to focus on a different strategic path in the summer transfer window.
"The club made it clear that we had to take a different approach, and this is the result," he said.
Confidence in Team’s Recovery
Despite the setbacks, Eichner remains optimistic that his team can emerge from this difficult period. "We have the experience and the work ethic to overcome this," he said.
Injury Updates
The KSC squad is largely fit for Saturday’s match, with the exception of Dzenis Burnic (suspended) and Bambasé Conté (adductor problems).
