Nürnberg beats Karlsruhe 1:0 behind Zoma goal for best start in 65 years

Zoma strikes in Karlsruhe

1. FC Nürnberg earned a 1:0 victory away at Karlsruher SC on matchday six of the 2. Bundesliga, entering the international break with 16 out of a possible 18 points. Forward Mohamed Ali Zoma scored the decisive goal in the 30th minute before a crowd of 31,067 spectators at the Wildpark. The 22-year-old forward finished off a passing move through the center, guided by midfielder Javier Fernandez. Nürnberg had survived an early scare in the fifth minute when goalkeeper Jan Reichert misplayed a backpass onto his own outer post. Tim Janisch created Nürnberg's first clear opening in the 25th minute before Zoma converted five minutes later. The victory broke a five-game losing streak for Nürnberg in Karlsruhe, where the club had previously conceded 16 goals across five defeats.

First-half dominance and defensive control

Nürnberg controlled the tempo throughout the first half, deploying the same starting eleven that defeated Hannover 96 by 2:1 in the previous round. The visiting side recorded 72% possession and completed 406 passes compared to 110 for Karlsruhe during the opening 45 minutes. Karlsruhe coach Maximilian Senft adjusted his lineup after a 0:3 loss to Energie Cottbus by starting Lilian Egloff and Viktor Bergh instead of Tim Civeja and Noel Eichinger, but the hosts generated little attacking momentum. Whistles from home supporters accompanied Karlsruhe into the dressing room at halftime. The 37-year-old Senft made two substitutions at the break, bringing on Jason Ponente-Ramirez and Sandro Tremoulet for Louey Ben Farhat and Egloff. Karlsruhe pushed forward after the restart, but a 63rd-minute effort by Rafael Pinto Pedrosa was disallowed for offside, and the hosts ended the match with zero clear chances.

Record league start under Klose

The result gives head coach Miroslav Klose five wins and one draw from six matches, marking Nürnberg's best start to a league campaign in 65 years. The nine-time German champions last achieved a comparable run in the 1961/1962 Oberliga Süd season, when they opened with four wins and two draws. Karlsruhe remains without a victory in five consecutive matches following their 2:1 opening win against Arminia Bielefeld. In Saturday's other 2. Bundesliga fixture, 1. FC Kaiserslautern defeated Eintracht Braunschweig 1:0 to keep pace with the top group. Kaiserslautern coach Torsten Lieberknecht faced his former club, securing three points when substitute Erencan Yardimci scored in the 73rd minute. Yardimci spent the previous season on loan at Braunschweig from TSG Hoffenheim.

International call-up for Italy

Zoma scored his sixth league goal of the season one day after receiving his first call-up to the Italian senior national team by manager Roberto Mancini. Born in Merate in Lombardy, the forward was eligible to represent Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast before selecting Italy. The nomination is the first time a 2. Bundesliga player has been selected for the Italian national squad. The selection comes six months after Italy lost its World Cup playoff final to Bosnia and Herzegovina (1:4 on penalties). Mancini spoke directly with Zoma in late August before finalizing the roster for four upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium, Turkey, and France.

He said he is watching me. I should keep going and then we will see if he calls me up.

Nürnberg coach Klose commented on the prospect of the call-up ahead of the official announcement.

It would make all of us absolutely happy because he has earned it.