„You’ve seen horses vomit before.“

I can’t speak for KSC, of ​​course. But it’s clear that these are Christian Eichner’s last two home games for KSC. After such an incredibly long, successful, and influential period, that’s certainly something that many people around the club, and especially the team, will do a lot to give him a proper send-off. But we will, of course, do everything we can to win this game. Because, firstly, we always want to do everything we can to win games anyway. And secondly, and especially after the second half against Elversberg, we still feel the need to stay focused and continue to perform. It’s not as if anyone is letting up; we’re fully committed. And accordingly, I expect a game in which both teams will be playing for the win.

Fabi Holland and Hiro Akiyama did not train yesterday. For Fabi, it was a long-planned private appointment, and things are looking good for Hiro as well. Aleks Vukotic will play in place of Paddy on Sunday. There’s a chance that Fraser Hornby and Fabian Nürnberger will play again this season. It’s not critical for Fraser, but there isn’t much time left until the end of the season.

I believe it was the very first time I decided against starting Killi when he was potentially available. He’s been playing almost constantly through pain, and in recent weeks, he’s simply experienced a slight dip in form. You have to look at that objectively. Therefore, I wanted to give him the opportunity to regain some freshness so he can return to a better form for the final weeks. I think everyone here has seen over the past two years what he’s capable of when he’s injury-free.

We deliberately gave ourselves two days off to let Saturday night’s events sink in a bit. Our motto for the remaining season is: ‚Keep going.‘ And the lads are determined to show that they deserved their place at the top of this league for so long. You can see that mindset in them. And that’s why I’m completely optimistic that we’ll not only put in a good performance, but above all, that we’ll show freshness and, most importantly, radiate one thing: the hunger to win.

This week I taught my friend Paul Fernie, who speaks German extremely well but isn’t a native speaker, a new German idiom: „Man hat schon Pferde kotzen sehen“ (You’ve seen horses vomit). Therefore, it would be highly negligent not to see anything through to the end, even if we know it’s an unlikely scenario. But it’s a scenario we definitely want to do everything we can to make it happen. We’re not doing the math. We never have; we have to take it one game at a time. And that’s why it’s about winning. On Sunday against KSC. And then it’s about Münster. And then it’s about Paderborn.

I want to compliment Christian on his time at KSC. This isn’t his last game, but it is the last time we’ll play against each other in these colours. I’m absolutely certain he’ll reappear very quickly in German professional football, either in the first division or at a top club in the second division, because he’s a truly top-class coach. He’s been at KSC for over six years and has consistently managed to keep the team picking up points. They’ve now surpassed forty points again, which is certainly no small feat in this league. And he’s always managed, as I’ve perceived it, to create an incredible unity between the team and the coach. You always had the feeling that his players were doing everything for him. And I find that remarkable.

They’re a team that defines itself very strongly through set pieces. They have an outstanding striker in Marvin Wanitzek. They’re a team that has shifted its balance significantly towards attack in recent weeks. While they play with a back three, they also utilise attacking wingers, especially on the left with Herold or Burnic. They vary their build-up play with a back four, have very attacking central midfielders who are essentially attacking midfielders, and possess very good strikers who complement each other well. So, they’re a versatile team with one outstanding characteristic: they’re clinical. Karlsruhe is the most efficient team in the league, scoring the most goals with the fewest chances. And that’s something we need to pay close attention to.