With a win in Nuremberg, Karlsruher SC could have jumped to the top of the table. Nothing came of it. The superior FCN came late to a deserved 2:1 (1:1) victory. The goals were scored by Stefanos Tzimas (36th) and Florian Flick (90th + 1) for Nuremberg and Fabian Schleusener (40th) for KSC.
The KSC, which had managed to reach the top of the second division table with two wins before the winter break, went into the game against the Franconians with good memories. In the first series they defeated FCN 3-2 after an entertaining game. Triple goalscorer back then: Budu Zivzivadze, who developed into Baden’s outstanding goalscorer over the course of the first half of the season. Karlsruhe’s problem: Zivzivadze is no longer there. The Georgian moved to 1. FC Heidenheim during the winter break.
As a replacement, the Karlsruhe team brought in Mikkel Kaufmann, who had already been under contract with KSC in 2022/23. The Dane, who was in the starting line-up, initially had little opportunity to draw attention to himself. Because 1. FC Nürnberg played the game. Coach Miroslav Klose’s team vehemently pushed the KSC back into their half – what the Nuremberg team were doing didn’t look bad at all.
Nuremberg’s lead doesn’t last long
However, it took until the 36th minute for the striking superiority to become noticeable in numbers. After a long-range shot from Julian Justvan, KSC keeper Max Weiß could only let the ball ricochet forward. Stefanos Tzimas thanked him and headed the ball over the line to make it 1-0.
A well-deserved leadership, but one that did not last long. Because the KSC struck back immediately. With the first serious attack ever, Fabian Schleusener equalized in the 40th minute. After a cross from Rafael Pedrosa, the Kaufmann partner rose up in an exemplary manner in the KSC attack and headed the ball from ten meters into the right corner.
Hosts push hard
The draw at halftime was fortunate for Karlsruhe. The result became even more flattering over the course of the second 45 minutes. Nuremberg pushed, Nuremberg pressed, Nuremberg literally constricted the opponent in their half. Alone: the redeeming next goal didn’t want to come. The best opportunities went to Justvan, who missed keeper Weiß with a hard-hitting long-range shot (60th) and Jens Castrop, whose shot from eleven meters was unfortunately deflected over the crossbar by Justvan (67th).
The KSC, which could have taken over the top of the table with a win, actually only had combat football to throw into the balance. With permitted and sometimes illegal means: In the second section there were a lot of yellow cards for coach Christian Eichner’s protégés.
Fleck scores late to win
This tactic was almost a partial success. But nothing came of it. Because Nuremberg defender Florian Flick made it 2-1 with a Sunday shot from 20 meters into the right corner in the first minute of stoppage time. Nuremberg climbed to eleventh place and now has a balanced record of seven wins and seven defeats. Karlsruhe slipped to sixth place and now only has four points more than FCN.
Nuremberg against Schalke, Karlsruhe against Düsseldorf
Nuremberg face Schalke on matchday 19 (January 25th, 1:00 p.m.). Karlsruhe welcomes Fortuna Düsseldorf at home (January 25th, 1 p.m.).