Hrgota only joker: Fürth received the next low blow against Karlsruhe

As of: October 24, 2025 9:31 p.m

After the second sobering second division defeat, Greuther Fürth is in crisis. Coach Thomas Kleine takes a risk against Karlsruhe – and loses.

SpVgg Greuther Fürth suffered their next significant defeat in the 2nd Bundesliga on Friday. After the 1:4 (0:2) against Karlsruher SC and goals conceded by Fabian Schleusener (3rd), Lilian Egloff (34th) and Marvin Wanitzek (79th, 90th + 5), the Fürth team is threatened with falling into the relegation place. Captain Branimir Hrgota’s goal (90th) came too late. With 28 goals conceded, they have by far the most vulnerable defense in the league.

Five days ago Fürth lost 6-0 at SV Elversberg and there has been no win in four games. “Ten goals conceded in two games – that says that we’re not doing a lot of things well defensively”said coach Thomas Kleine of the sports show.“We just can’t manage to be clever, to draw a foul after losing the ball, not to run on the counterattack, to block shots, to have the greed to prevent goals.”

Kleine puts captain Hrgota on the bench

Kleine apparently doesn’t have to fear for his job, at least in the next few days. Sports director Stephan Fürstner told Sportschau that the 47-year-old would also be on the sidelines in the DFB Cup game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Wednesday (6 p.m.). “The coaching team will now set up and build up the team like they did in previous weeks. And then we’ll try to do better on Wednesday.”

Kleine surprised with the starting lineup and put captain and key player Hrgota on the bench. “He lacked a bit of luck to score a goal,” said Little One. “Today we decided on Felix Higl, who brings a lot with his physicality and deserves it.” In the left-back position, Kleine helped 21-year-old David Abrango make his starting debut.

Schleusener and Egloff are on a roll

But instead of a defiant reaction, there was a disappointing performance and an early goal. A rebound landed at Kobald 20 meters from the goal. His direct shot failed, but it bounced in front of the goal, where Schleusener kept his head in and deflected over goalkeeper Pelle Boevnik.

Fürth then seemed unsettled and hardly managed anything offensively. When there was a slight improvement after about half an hour, the next goal was conceded. Again the ball landed at a Karlsruhe player after a defensive action on the 16. Egloff volleyed the ball into the right corner. Schleusener and Egloff have scored in three second division games in a row.

Three-pack of opportunities for KSC

Fürth came out of the locker room without a change, but with more momentum and more aggressive pressing. In the 54th minute, top scorer Noel Futkeu had a great chance to score, but was denied by goalkeeper Hans Christian Bernat.

Karlsruhe initially remained conspicuously passive, but then had three great chances within two minutes – including a post header from Marcel Beifuß.

Hrgota’s joker goal comes too late

Shortly afterwards, in the 69th minute, Kleine brought Hrgota into the game – and with him Julian Green and Jomaine Consbruch. However, KSC again had a great opportunity, but Schleusener passed too imprecisely in a promising shooting position.

Consbruch sent a sign of life with a goal in the 75th minute, but Wanitzek made the decision shortly afterwards. Karlsruhe’s captain capitalized on a low cross from Schleusener. Hrgota’s connecting goal after a nice individual performance was just a cosmetic result – it was Hrgota’s first goal on the tenth matchday. In stoppage time, Wanitzek even went one better for Karlsruhe with a beautiful long-range shot.

Fürth in Paderborn, Karlsruhe against Schalke

Fürth and Kleine are now under pressure on Sunday afternoon at SC Paderborn (1:30 p.m.). With the win, Karlsruhe consolidated its place in the top half of the table. “Goals at the right time, a lot of goals scored, a little bit of something survives – that’s how you have to win away first,” said KSC coach Christian Eichner.

After the cup game at Borussia Mönchengladbach (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.), Karlsruhe will welcome FC Schalke 04 on Saturday afternoon (1:00 p.m.). After their win against Darmstadt, Schalke are six points ahead of KSC as league leaders.