2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: Karlsruher SC
There is plenty of optimism surrounding Karlsruhe heading into the new 2. Bundesliga club. A club which has been up and down from year to year. But, in spite of the last three years being a rollercoaster, things are looking up.
The major development has been the alteration of the Wildparkstadion, which saw the stadium change from a bowl configuration featuring an athletic track to a more conventional, yet modern design.
On the pitch, Karlsruhe managed 7th last season which considering the inconsistent nature of their campaign was quite the result. Under Christian Eichner, Karlsruhe has managed to stabilise themselves as a 2. Bundesliga regular and now could be the perfect time to strike for something more ambitious?
Let’s see if Karlsruhe has the makings of being a team to watch out for this season.
Team Details
Stadion (Capacity): Wildparkstadion (34,302)
Kit manufacturer: Macron
Nicknames: KSC
Coach: Christian Eichner
Captain: Jérôme Gondorf
Signings & Departures
Signings: Marcel Beifus (St. Pauli), Patrick Drewes (SV Sandhausen), Lars Stindl (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Eren Öztürk (Karlsruher SC U19), David Herold (Bayern München, on loan), Robin Bormouth (SC Paderborn 07), Dzenis Burnić (1. FC Heidenheim), Bastian Allgeier (SSV Ulm, loan return), Dominik Kother (Waldhof Mannheim, loan return), Kelvin Arase (K.V. Oostende, loan return)
Departures: Tim Breithaupt (FC Augsburg), Stephan Ambrosius (Hamburger SV, end of loan), Florian Ballas (Jahn Regensburg), Lucas Cueto (Dynamo Dresden), Marius Gersbeck (Hertha BSC), Daniel Gordon (retired), Felix Irorere (Borussia Dortmund II), Mikkel Kaufmann (Copenhagen, end of loan), Lazar Mirkovic (without club), Bastian Allgeier (SSV Ulm, loan made permanent), Dominik Kother (Jahn Regensburg), Kyoung-rok Choi (without club), Malik Batmaz (SC Preußen Münster), Simone Rapp (Neuchâtel Xamax FCS)
The summer window for Karlsruhe was about consolidation. Why? After an improved season last time out there was bound to be interest for several key players. Mikkel Kaufmann was someone Karlsruhe was desperate to keep hold of, but with every goal the Dane scored, the harder it came for Copenhagen to not sell the striker at a higher price. Karlsruhe’s dismay became Union Berlin’s gain.
Tim Breithaupt had an impressive previous campaign also, and the financial gain of selling one of their most talented prospects was too much to overlook. Augsburg are getting a versatile player with the potential of significant improvement. Marius Gersbeck after several fantastic seasons heads back to where it all began for him, Hertha BSC.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, the return of their prodigal son Lars Stindl was a massive coup for the club and speaks to bigger ambitions. How about a new goalkeeper in the established Patrick Drewes from Sandhausen, or a strong midfield piece in Dzenis Burnić from last seasons 2. Bundesliga champions Heidenheim?
Whilst some of the losses are significant, there is more than enough coming back to ensure Karlsruhe is poised for a strong campaign.
Potential setup
Manager Eichner has proven to be a more than capable manager at this level, to the extent that Bundesliga clubs have been keeping an eye on him as a potential managerial hire. The question for the upcoming campaign is, with an improved squad, how far can he take Karlsruhe this season?
The goalkeeping situation is set in stone, with Gersbeck heading home to Berlin it’s Drewes who will undoubtedly get the nod of approval. Max Weiß is a keeper for the future and has made the odd appearance in goal. He is one for the future, and in many ways Drewes is the intermediate period before Weiß can stake a genuine claim to be Karlsruhe’s number one.
Defensively, it’s largely the same group with Sebastian Jung, Marcel Franke and Philip Heise all returning. Heise, out of the established squad, has been under pressure to keep his spot during training camp thanks to an impressive period by on loan fullback David Herold. Christoph Kobald would’ve been starting alongside Franke, but due to injury the returning Robin Bormuth is my bet to start against Osnabrück.
With the return of Stindl to Karlsruhe, the midfield core is quite impressive. To add someone who was arguably one of Borussia Mönchengladbach’s best last season to a mix featuring the mercurial Marvin Wanitzek, Jerome Gondorf and the talented Paul Nebel. There is a lot to be excited about.
Up front, Fabian Schleusener is coming off a personal best season with 13 goals from 31 appearances. But who will join him in the Kaufmann role? Budu Zivzivadze has taken his time getting comfortable in Karlsruhe and could be a potential option. Or perhaps Eichner will opt for one of their own. Tim Rossmann made 14 appearances last season and looks ready for an increased workload. With a strong pre-season, we will see the 19-year-old more often this season.
Fan Perspective
With Karlsruhe preparing for the opening match in Osnabrück, I wanted to get the feeling of what the perspective fan base hopes for this season. So, I’ve asked Boris Gradećak, host of the Wildpark-Bruddler Podcast to provide some insight and what we could expect from Karlsruhe.
MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
BG: Eichner once said the aim is to bring joy to the fans and ensure they leave the stadium happy. On an emotional level, I can get behind it. However, if we’re talking on a competitive level, I think we would want to finish in the top half of the table and not be associated with the relegation battles whatsoever.
MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?
BG: Easy one: Lars Stindl! Pretty much self-explanatory. The home coming. The legend. Absolute football royalty. In friendlies one can already see the footballing upgrade he brings to the team. Plus: he’s a player that plays for the badge. I just can’t wait to see him on the pitch in blue and white.
MK: Who is one player from Kalrsruher SC fans of the league should keep an eye on?
BG: Probably Lars Stindl. But since I talked about him already, I’d mention two more: Marvin Wanitzek, who’s been insane the last few seasons. And: Paul Nebel. He improved so much under Eichner and he caused opponents a lot of trouble. Very glad he stays for another year.
MK: Fans should go to the Wildparkstadion this season because?
BG: Because it’s brand new, because the team needs every single fan to be successful, and because the team deserves every support. Together, the Wildpark will be a fortress and not an easy place to play in!
MK: Where do you think Karlsruher SC will finish this season?
BG: Difficult to say an exact position, the squad is shaping up nicely but we are yet to make the final touches, especially on the striker position as we sold Batmaz and Rapp, but I would say Top 7 is something we could aim for!
Predictions
Karlsruhe looks ready to make a serious push towards, at the very least a promotion play-off spot. The squad building during the summer has addressed key needs for Eichner’s side and it’s difficult to not be excited about Karlsruhe’s potential this season.
In my opinion, the best case scenario is the aforementioned, challenging to be the third best team in the 2. Bundesliga.
At worst, Karlsruhe is a mid-table team that will yo-yo around the 6th to 10th mark, similar to the chaotic season they produced last time.
With the Wildparkstadion finally completed, Karlsruhe are a team to go see this season.