The relegation battle was suddenly very far away after the game. Although neither Arminia Bielefeld nor VfB Stuttgart had made a significant step towards relegation, the concern for Fabian Klos overshadowed all sporting needs. “It sends chills down your spine. Of course you’re shocked when you see something like that.”said Bielefeld’s coach Frank Kramer, who reported the mood in the cabin was depressed.
Klos and teammate Alessandro Schöpf rattled their heads just before the end of the game. Schöpf got back up quickly, Klos was taken from the field on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.
Among the numerous protagonists who are associated with the Bielefeld cult striker “get well soon” wish, also counted Stuttgart’s goalscorer Sasa Kalajdzic. The 24-year-old not only proved his nerves of steel when he took the penalty to make it 1-0 on Saturday, but also his qualities as a helpful sportsman after Klos’ collision.
Memory of 2013
Kalajdzic rushed to meet the paramedics, took the stretcher from them and sprinted to Klos. “It just went too slowly for Sasa. Since he probably felt superior to the paramedics in terms of speed, he accelerated it.”Kramer described the scene and thanked him.
The Arminia coach felt reminded of October 2013 when Klos was injured. “Pretty brutal when you also know the history – the injury he had a couple of years ago“, he said. “That’s pretty awesome.” Klos had severely injured his face at the time. After a collision in a header duel, he underwent facial surgery, and his frontal and eye sockets were also affected.
Kramer isn’t the only one hoping that this time things will turn out lighter. “Let’s just hope he gets well soon, that he can be with us again soon, that he’s healthy.”said the 49-year-old about the club’s record goalscorer. “That’s the most important thing. That always comes first.”