20/09/2026
🔴 FCK BOUNCES BACK: YARDIMCI TURNS THE TABLES AT THE BETZE
It wasn’t always pretty, but FCK found a way — and delivered exactly the response it needed.
One week after the disappointing 3–0 defeat in Magdeburg, the Red Devils returned home and battled past Eintracht Braunschweig 1–0 in front of over 44,000 fans at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion. The FCK home sections appeared packed, with the only significant visible empty seating concentrated in the fenced-off visitors section. Police reported only around 933 Braunschweig supporters.
Braunschweig produced one of the first major opportunities when Jan Urbich broke through in the 20th minute, but our keeper Julian Krahl made an excellent one-on-one save to keep FCK level. After halftime, the visitors came even closer when Kevin Ehlers headed a corner against the crossbar.
Then FCK Coach Torsten Lieberknecht made the changes that helped turn the match. Fabian Kunze and Erencan Yardımcı entered in the 65th minute, and FCK gradually began taking control. Eight minutes later came the decisive moment.
Following a Braunschweig corner, Krahl launched a long ball downfield, sending Yardımcı and Ibrahim Kanaté racing forward. Yardımcı fought off the defender and brilliantly lifted the ball over the advancing Ron-Thorben Hoffmann from around 16 meters. 1–0 FCK!
And there could hardly have been a more fitting goalscorer: Just five months ago, on 24 April, Yardımcı stood on this same pitch wearing a Braunschweig shirt and scored against FCK in the visitors’ 2–0 victory at the Betze. On Saturday, wearing the Red Devils’ colors, he turned the tables — coming off the bench and scoring the winner against his former club at the very same stadium.
After the goal, FCK found another gear. Thierry Fidjeu-Tazemeta was denied by Hoffmann, Semih Şahin struck the post, and Lautern continued pushing for a second goal while defending its advantage with determination.
Krahl deserves special recognition. His first-half save prevented FCK from falling behind, and his long distribution launched the move that produced the winning goal — making him instrumental at both ends of the pitch.
FCK also had to adjust before kickoff. Jacob Rasmussen missed the match with an adductor problem, with Alex Murphy moving to the left side of the back three. Lieberknecht made four changes from the starting XI that lost in Magdeburg, bringing Mika Haas, Paul Joly, Leon Robinson and Ibrahim Kanaté into the lineup.
The Red Devils also marked the occasion by wearing their special “Herz der Pfalz” jersey, celebrating the club’s connection to the Palatinate and its wine culture.
Most importantly, the victory moves FCK to 11 points from six matches (3W–2D–1L, 6:4 goals) and 5th place in the 2. Bundesliga. And that position is now secure for the break: regardless of Sunday’s remaining results, FCK will enter the international break in 5th place.
With the OUTSTANDING fan support, the Betze has been a fortress this season. FCK remains undefeated at home and has yet to concede a single goal at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion in league play.
The Red Devils now have a long wait before returning to league action, away at 1. FC Heidenheim on Friday, 9 October at 6:30pm.
😁👹👍👏
