- "This serves as a noticeable red flag."
First, there were five counter-assaults, then the Brunswick pros faced the aggravation of their own spectators in the presence of the supporters' section. "I can absolutely grasp the fans' sentiment. They desire something different," stated defender Jannis Nikolaou following the disheartening 0:5 defeat against 1. FC Köln.
A 1:5 loss against Schalke 04 FC, a 1:3 defeat against Magdeburg, and subsequently a 1:4 cup defeat against Frankfurt - the opening act of the season for the Lower Saxony squad could not have been more dismal, sitting at the base of the table.
Prior to facing the fans, the captain, Ermin Bicakcic, spoke to his team with candid words in a circle. "We need to examine ourselves. But I have faith in our team," said midfielder Fabio Kaufman.
Previously, the team had been outmaneuvered by the Cologne team and had managed to only concede five goals from Timo Hübers (26th minute), Dejan Ljubicic (34th/61st), Tim Lemperle (58th), and Luca Waldschmidt (88th). With that, the visitors failed to secure a win even in their 29th competitive match in Cologne.
Coach Daniel Scherning was incensed. "We toiled hard last year to secure a place in the league. We undeniably discredited ourselves today with a disastrous performance for 90 minutes," stated the Eintracht coach. "We acted foolishly for all the goals, covered 8 kilometers fewer, and made fewer sprints. That's a substantial number and carries significance," said Scherning.
The onslaught of 17 goals conceded in four games also impacted the goalkeeper, Lennart Grill. "It was the same in every game - we concede too many goals too swiftly," said the Brunswick goalkeeper. "That should most certainly serve as a wake-up call."
The coach chose to remain silent after the captain's speech on Saturday evening. "I need to digest this first. Then we have to establish the causes," said the coach. "Without a doubt, we have to put forth a different demeanor next weekend against Karlsruhe SC," the coach demands.
Despite the team's struggling start, with losses against Schalke 04 FC, Magdeburg, and Frankfurt, and a 0:5 defeat against 1. FC Köln, the fans still show their support. "I can understand the fans' frustration, they want a change," commented defender Jannis Nikolaou.
In an attempt to turning things around, the team is set to face Karlsruhe SC next week. "We have to change our attitude, we can't keep conceding so many goals so quickly," acknowledged goalkeeper Lennart Grill.
