When Karlsruher SC meet Erzgebirge Aue this weekend, Jerome Gondorf could be back on the field after weeks of rest. That would be good news for Christian Eichner’s eleven – especially in one respect.
He stands for one thing above all: aggressiveness. That’s what Jerome Gondorf stands for first and foremost – and that’s also what Karlsruher SC lacked from time to time in the weeks leading up to the international break.
Gondorf has been forced to watch out recently with a left thigh injury, but there is now hope of a return against Aue. “It was more than a torn muscle fibre,” explained the 33-year-old, “a tendon was affected.” For this reason, Gondorf missed three games, but on Saturday he could start again and give the Karlsruhe team what it has been lacking lately: Toughness.
Gondorf knows: Especially against an uncomfortable team like Aue, it is important not to back down in the direct duels. “We have to show aggression and stress the opponent,” says the midfielder.
First five wins against the “tough nut” Aue
After the two wins at the start, KSC have won only one of their past seven games. The fact that the Badeners won this three-legged tie at Schalke certainly showed what the team is capable of – but now, as Gondorf says, they have to crack the “tough nut” of Aue.
The Veilchen are still the only second-division team without a win, but they drew attention to themselves before the international break with a 1-1 draw against Hamburger SV. And, that too shows how treacherous the KSC task is: of 22 duels with Aue, Karlsruhe have only won five.