Hansa Rostock is off course. The Härtel-Elf lost 0:2 against Kaiserslautern and are now waiting four games for a win. The coach demands a reaction during the game in Regensburg.
Rostock (dpa/mv) - Ironically, the frequently celebrated hero of great football days had to feel like a scapegoat this time. Goalkeeper Markus Kolke initiated Hansa Rostock's fourth home defeat of the season with a fatal mistake. "Those who have a little idea of football see that there was a mistake in the game. Normally the ball jumps into my hands and doesn't just go flat," said the captain after the 0: 2 (0: 1) against the 1. FC Kaiserslautern the situation with the first goal.
The faux pas - the keeper's ball had slipped through his legs into the goal - didn't really upset the veteran, who had played over 300 second and third division games. "I take it on my cap. I have no problem with that," said the 32-year-old on the Sky TV channel. Kolke had no reason for it. Hansa number one saved their emergency eleven, in which ten injured or suspended players were missing, from an even earlier deficit with some brilliant saves in the first half.
When interim defense chief Rick van Drongelen made a major blunder and couldn't stop Terrence Boyd, who scored twice, the good mood of the 25,000 spectators in the packed Ostseestadion was ruined. Harder was not surprised. "I can understand that things are getting turbulent in the stadium," said the 53-year-old.
Rather, the scolding for the involuntary main actors of the messed-up evening rankled the Hansa coach. "The tragedy of the game is that defeat begins with individual mistakes by players who played well," he said. Doesn't matter. The two will definitely get over it.
What sticks is the impression that Hansa's second suit doesn't fit. None of the players in the so-called second row could really recommend themselves for further starting eleven appearances. Most likely Simon Rhein, but otherwise he's first choice anyway. The midfielder delivered a courageous performance on his comeback after a two-month injury break, which gives hope that he can fix the structural problems in Rostock's build-up.
That would be extremely important, because after four games without a win, the Hanseatic League are on the edge of the table basement. Nobody wants to go there. "We have to shake ourselves and continue next week in Regensburg," Hartel demanded of his staff.
