This embarrassing failure really hurt.
Cologne deservedly lost 1:5 in Darmstadt. Because the defense once again makes too many mistakes and allows itself to be overrun. Learning effect from previous games? Not visible.
Now coach Gerhard Struber (47) is also under pressure.
The Austrian after the game: “We were overwhelmed for the entire duration of the game. We had no control at any stage of the game. We thrive on intensity and joint, active defense against the ball.”
Only: No trace of intensity in the FC game. And thus free passage for Darmstadt’s surprise attacks. Cologne stands tall, but doesn’t seem able to defend their depth. And that despite Struber repeatedly announcing that he wanted to stabilize the defense.
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The debacle came as no surprise to sports boss Christian Keller. His alarming statement after the game: “I think this performance was announced. I didn’t like the Karlsruhe game (4:4), nor the Ulm game despite the win (2:0).” The FC trend is going in the wrong direction. The team doesn’t seem to find any solutions to Struber’s instructions on the pitch. Struber wanted to start a series of points after the international break.
FC boss Keller defends coach Struber
Does that mean the coach now has to question himself? Keller defends Struber and only criticizes the FC players: “The defeat was in no way due to the match plan. It’s about the players’ implementation of the plan.” The consequence for the professionals: “It’s going to be really loud,” announces Keller.
BILD asks whether the sports boss also needs to speak to his coach after the debacle. The clear answer: “No, I don’t have to talk to him. Everything that was trained and discussed turned out exactly that way. But the question is what to make of it. A serious duel is not something that the coach can influence, everyone has to do it themselves.”
After just nine league games, Keller has to support Struber. While the pressure on the coach continues to grow and his game idea comes under more and more criticism.
Now Struber’s response to the debacle must be correct.
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18.10.2024
