Elversberg's Felix Keidel reflects on spectacular free-kick, friendly club wagers, and Germany prospects
SV Elversberg midfielder Felix Keidel was named the Bundesliga's Man of the Match following Friday evening's commanding 4-1 victory over Mainz 05. The surprise Germany international opened the scoring with a spectacular seventh-minute free kick and subsequently spoke to reporters about his technique, Elversberg's impressive performance, and the possibility of another call-up from national team head coach Jürgen Klopp.
The 23-year-old's brilliantly executed set piece set the tone for Elversberg's emphatic victory at the URSAPHARMArena. Francis Onyeka and Maurice Krattenmacher added further goals before halftime, while substitute Cole Campbell completed the scoring for the hosts in second-half stoppage time.
Get German Football News awarded its own player-of-the-match distinction to Onyeka, but it was the surprise Germany call-up who earned the Bundesliga's honor. Keidel's latest free-kick masterpiece also provided another reminder of the extraordinary progress he has made since Vincent Wagner restored him to his preferred position in central midfield during the summer.
Keidel explains his spectacular free-kick technique The opening goal came after Mainz defender Stefan Posch fouled Onyeka just outside the penalty area in the sixth minute. Keidel stepped forward and curled his effort around the Mainz wall, leaving returning goalkeeper Robin Zentner helpless as the ball found the corner of the net.
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Keidel explained how he identified the opportunity. "I saw that the wall was standing a little further to the left," Keidel said.
"The right corner was open, and then I tried to put the ball there. It worked out pretty well, you could say.
It was not the midfielder's first spectacular direct free kick of the Bundesliga campaign. Keidel previously struck an outstanding equalizer during Elversberg's remarkable 4-3 comeback victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach in September.
The two goals further reinforce the set-piece credentials that GGFN highlighted in its detailed September profile of the midfielder. Keidel had already scored directly from a free kick against Strasbourg during preseason, having emerged as one ofthe outstanding performers of Elversberg's summer training camp.
Dressing-room free-kick competition provides amusement The spectacular opening goal also prompted some lighthearted questions about a wager involving direct free-kick goals. Keidel was reminded of a competition between Vincent Wagner and Christian Weber concerning the number of direct free kicks that could be scored."