1. FC Saarbrücken is one of two remaining regional leagues in the DFB Cup. Opponent Karlsruhe released his coach on Monday. The fourth division team has already done that – despite leading the table! Will the next surprise be a success?
Jahn Regensburg (3: 2 in the 1st round) and 1. FC Köln (3: 2, 2nd round) had to believe in it – will the Karlsruher SC follow on Wednesday (8:45 p.m.)? Fourth division club Saarbrücken has earned the reputation of the cup fright with its two surprise victories and the move into the round of 16.
Schwartz fired at KSC
The chances that the regional league’s journey will continue are not bad. Because: The opponent is in a mood of crisis. The KSC fired its trainer Alois Schwartz on Monday. Four bankruptcies in a row and the crash in 17th place were too many. Interim trainer Christian Eichner hardly had any preparation time. In any case, maintaining the league in league two is a priority at KSC.
Saarbrücken believes in the next sensation. “It goes without saying that the boys are hot for the game. However, it is not the case that we have only talked about the game in the past few weeks,” said Saarbrücken coach Lukas Kwasniok (38) in an interview with “Fussball.de”.So far, has only been on the sidelines in friendly matches for FCS: new coach Lukas Kwasniok. (Source: Jan Huebner / imago images)
Kwasniok has not yet played a competitive game with FCS. He has only been in office since December 23. Ex-coach Dirk Lottner (47) was surprisingly fired at the beginning of December – despite being number one in the Regionalliga Südwest and entering the cup round of 16. In addition to Saarbrücken, there is only another fourth division with SC Verl.
Saarbrücken still without a competitive game in 2020
While Karlsruhe is already in competition rhythm, the FCS is still preparing for the second half of the season, which starts on February 22nd. However, the second division team could not gain confidence in their competitive matches.
Problem for the outsider: top scorer Sebastian Jacob and offensive man José Vunguidica are missing injuries. That doesn’t make the competitive premiere easier for Kwasniok, who has a special relationship with Karlsruhe. His son Brooklyn plays in the U17 of the KSC, Kwasniok himself was active there as a player and coach in the youth area.
Kwasniok: “It’s an extraordinary situation.” Even before the kick-off, it is clear that it will not be a normal cup game that will be played again in Völklingen due to the renovation of the Ludwigpark Stadium.
– ,
