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Chance for Turnaround If Cologne lose their third straight, it will be a truly dismal start to their campaign. Karlsruher SC entertain the still-winless team on Friday evening. Karlsruhe have beaten Cologne more than any other opponent.
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| The last time coach Christoph Daum led his Cologne team against Karlsruhe was back in 1990. The 5:0 loss they suffered that day was the worst home beating Cologne has ever endured.
Another interesting stat: Daum has led a club into Karlsruhe's Wildparkstadion nine times -- and every time came away with a draw. And goals were few and far between: five scoreless draws, five 1:1 matches. But enough of numbers. Points wasted Both clubs had reason to be upset with themselves over the points they failed to come away with last weekend. Especially KSC, whose carelessness in the closing minute of their match against Hamburg cost them the draw that seemed theirs. Sporting Director Rolf Dohmen said the unlucky loss was harder to take than the 7:0 drubbing Karlsruhe had in Hamburg last season. "It was brutal for the team," he said. Coach Edmund Becker was also dismayed. "The team is quarreling and lamenting, and is demoralized. But the loss had its cause. "We lacked the resolve to close," said Becker. "We faltered and wavered at the end. And then we weren't wide awake and forceful in the last-minute set piece." No reason to panic But there's no reason for Karlsruhe to panic. They have three points after their opening-day win over Bochum, and for the most part they looked convincing in Hamburg. Tonight against Cologne, they need to continue to perform. But they may have to make do without the services of skipper and defensive leader Maik Franz, who's battling a thigh injury. If that happens, centre-back Martin Stoll is likely to replace Franz. Problems penetrating At Cologne, Christoph Daum will have to get by without banned defender Pierre Worne and injured striker Manasseh Ishiaku. The attackers absence will be especially sorely felt, as Daum's squad seemed to have problems penetrating in its 1:1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. Goal-getter Milivoje Novakovic, who has already netted twice this season, is on his own too much and hasn't gotten the help he needs from new teammates Sergiu Radu and Wilfried Sanou. "I have to figure out how I can strengthen us offensively," said Daum. "I may have to make personnel changes. We need more forward drive." Line-up change? It's quite likely that midfielder Thomas Broich will get his chance tonight. Daum held him out against Frankfurt, relying instead on Marvin Matip in order to give Petit more room to operate. But the plan didn't exactly work out. "I'm satisfied with my team's performance so far," said Daum. "But we're all disappointed with the number of points we've grabbed. There's a lot of room for improvement." A point in Karlsruhe would be a good start. And it would keep Chirstoph Daum's streak of nine draws in Karlsruhe alive. |
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