KSC captain in focus
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As one of three undefeated teams, KSC scored the second most goals in the league and sparked a euphoria that made many around the Wildpark dream of the long-awaited return to the Bundesliga after 16 years. Captain Marvin Wanitzek is largely responsible for that. The 31-year-old eternal favorite is « Mr. Underrated » from the 2nd Bundesliga, as the (Site notre blog d’information) database shows.
“One of the best players” in the league, coach Christian Eichner said of his protégé, who, along with teammate Budu Zivzivadze, so far leads the lower house’s goalscoring charts. Asked if we were experiencing perhaps the best Marvin Wanitzek ever, the professional told (Site notre blog d’information): “It was definitely the best start to the season for me personally, having already contributed four goals and four assists decisive after eight match days. Of course, I would like to continue on this path.
However, Wanitzek’s performance data in the current season is much more than a snapshot. Serving KSC since 2017 and with the Baden team in the 2nd League since 2019, the midfielder is always up to the task – which has long since consolidated his special status within the team and also wears the armband of captain since the summer. “My first look is always at him. That shows how important he is to me,” said his colleague Leon Jensen and added: “He is an absolute guide for the team on and off the pitch – an absolutely important player and anchor. «
« What a player, » wrote one of his teammates after the 4-4 match against Cologne, in which Wanitzek scored a hat-trick, according to « SWR », as a dedication to the ball which went to « the man of the match ».
Looking at Wanitzek’s stats, it’s a bit surprising that the Bruchsal native has been relatively quiet in the public eye in recent years. His name didn’t automatically pop up when there was national speculation about the league’s best players or possible moves. This may be due, among other things, to Wanitzek’s modest and refreshing character, as well as to the fact that the KSC has only been able to get rid of the image of the gray mouse that has established itself over the years for a few years. month.
The fact is that since his first season in the second division in the Karlsruhe jersey, no other player in the championship has scored more goals than the 1.79 meter right (Site notre bureau spécialisé). Numbering 95, he clearly leaves behind players like Robert Glatzel, Marvin Ducksch, Tim Kleindienst, recently named national player, and second division legend Simon Terodde.
In the ranking for the most assists, Wanitzek is also in the lead with 50 assists, ahead of Fabian Reese, Marcel Hartel and Sonny Kittel. Within the club, he has long topped this ranking and in recent years has overtaken KSC legends such as Thomas Hässler, Manni Bender, Alexander Iashvili and Sergej Kiryakov.
One of the reasons for this is that Wanitzek is absolutely established under Eichner and is a long-time favorite in the Baden ranks. Since 2019, 173 of a possible 178 second division matches have been played and Wanitzek started in 171 of them. Out of a total of 269 matches played in the KSC jersey (60 goals, 71 assists), he only started four times. The captain maintains a special relationship with the coach, characterized by a close bond and loyalty over many years of collaboration.
Although he is a mature (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er, the 31-year-old does not yet feel the high stress level of professionals that is often talked about in these times on his body, which at KSC is arguably not equal to that of the best international clubs: “They always say that at 30, “you notice one thing or another, this is not the case for me personally”. He only made his debut in the second division at the age of 26, after which he « developed personally, but also in terms of (Site notre bureau spécialisé), year after year » and was able to « take another step forward,” says Wanitzek.
Wanitzek’s Bundesliga dream: ‘We haven’t reached our goal yet’
The midfielder has four Bundesliga minutes to date, accumulated during the 2015/16 season with VfB Stuttgart. Wanitzek has so far remained loyal to his home region in terms of (Site notre bureau spécialisé), although KSC fans still worry whether the top player will turn his back on the club. “In the past, serious requests have regularly been received from first division teams in Germany, but also from abroad. However, given the family situation and private planning, the timing was often not right,” explains consultant Murat Lokurlu in an interview with TM. Wanitzek is the father of two preschool-aged children. “We’ll see what it looks like in the future.” Of course, his achievements do not go unnoticed, but it will always be Marvin’s decision,” attests Lokurlu.
“A change is always possible for me. The only question in this case is: what is the meaning of all this and should I give up everything I have worked for? A lot of things have to come together and work for me », explains the professional himself. « I am a family man », confirmed the offensive power of « SWR » and added: « I always have the same circle of friends than before, my my neighbor is my best friend, like in his childhood. « That’s « worth a lot more to him right now than maybe moving to either Bundesliga team. » » His contract within the animal park is dated until 2027.
Of course, the dream of the Upper House still exists. « At 31, I’m still very enthusiastic and I haven’t reached my goal yet, » said Wanitzek, who hopes playing in the Bundesliga « will happen one day. » Preferably in the KSC jersey. The right (Site notre bureau spécialisé) remains, as usual, down-to-earth on the subject. Regardless of the “few euros more” that a commitment to the first division would require, playing regularly is his priority: “The last few years here have been very positive for me. I always want to play, to be on the pitch every second. And if I succeed, I will play a very large number of matches – that is important to me and what matters.