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 Newsawarded 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.
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 of the outstanding performers of Elversberg's summer training camp.
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. Asked whether he stood to benefit if the wager was won, Keidel clarified that he was not directly involved.
"I could have made it three today," Keidel joked, referring to his unsuccessful second free-kick attempt during the first half. "[But] No, no, I'm not part of it. That's between those two."
The midfielder was also asked whether Wagner should increase the target from three free-kick goals to five, thereby raising the stakes.
"I don't know what's at stake," Keidel replied. "But I try to score as many goals as possible, whether they're free kicks or from open play. Then we'll see what they might have to do next season."
Keidel's rapid development has already produced one of the more surprising international stories of the season. The former FC Ingolstadt youngster was included in Jürgen Klopp's first Germany squad in September after making just three Bundesliga appearances.
As GGFN previously examined , Keidel had spent much of the previous campaign operating as a full-back and eventually lost his starting place during Elversberg's successful promotion push. Wagner's decision to restore him to central midfield transformed his prospects. Keidel's running power, defensive work, passing range, and dead-ball expertise made him a valuable member of the newly promoted side's starting XI.
Friday's display provided another reminder of the qualities that attracted Klopp's attention. Asked whether he expected to return to the Germany squad in November, Keidel was cautious.
"No, there hasn't been any contact," he replied when asked whether he had spoken with the national team coach.
The midfielder also confirmed that he had received no telephone call concerning another selection.
"No, nothing at all."
Friday's contribution nevertheless offered further evidence that his place in the national-team conversation is perfectly legitimate.
