Ahead of the away match in Saarland, Florian Kohfeldt discusses SV Elversberg’s strengths, his own approach, and the team’s morale. SV Darmstadt 98 travels to SV Elversberg on Sunday (November 30th, 1:30pm). We’ve summarised the most important information from the pre-match press conference for you.
Personnel Update: As of now, there are no absences.
Regarding personnel, this week’s news is very good. Matej is definitely in the squad. I can’t imagine him playing all three games next week, but he could well be in the starting eleven on Sunday. He’s in the squad, but we’ll consider the rest.
Fabi Nürnberger had a perfect start with the Fürth game. He’s continued to train without any problems this week, and I see him at the same level as before his injury.
I’m expecting a really great football match. These are two teams that are very similar in their attacking style of play. Both have a flexible yet purposeful approach with the ball. Elversberg has a flexible build-up play and courageous full-backs. They constantly look to play their way through and have a top striker up front. They’re a team that adapts its game throughout the match. But you can say a lot about us from that perspective as well. I expect an absolutely top-class second division match, not just in terms of the league table, but also in terms of quality.
The focus is usually on the players who end up scoring the goal. For us, that’s often Isac Lidberg, and for Elversberg, it’s Younes Ebnoutalib. The two strikers are somewhat different. In my opinion, Isac is a bit more powerful and has a bit more drive in the box. Ebnoutalib is very agile, has great depth, and possesses good technique. They won’t be directly competing against each other, but it should be an exciting duel.
We need to be able to impose our game there. Elversberg has had the most problems so far against deep-lying opponents. At a certain stage of the game, that will be something we can’t shy away from. Dominating them for 90 minutes, I think, is unrealistic. Therefore, we also need to master that other phase. We can do it; we’ve already shown that. It will be crucial to be alert, both physically and mentally. These are among the main factors that will determine who ultimately emerges victorious.
There’s a summer break between the last match. These are completely different teams. If you look at the names Elversberg had here, you’ll see several players who are now regulars at Bundesliga clubs. It’s tempting to portray a seemingly smaller club like Elversberg as an underdog. That doesn’t do them justice. Neither last year nor this year. They’re doing outstanding work, and it’s anything but a coincidence that they’re where they are. There’s a lot of individual quality in the team.
Elversberg’s attacking style of play has been further refined by their new coach since the summer. Nevertheless, we’re not going there to give up easily. We have a clear plan for how we intend to approach the game. I see it as a very evenly matched contest, a top-class clash. Tactically, it’s a meeting of two of the best teams in the league.
Overall, there’s a really cool atmosphere in the team, a bit tense, but in a good way. This is true before Sunday, but also before the whole week. We have nothing but top matches until Christmas. You can really feel it. We know what tough opponents await us, but we also know that we’ve consistently shown – with the exception of two weeks – over the past few months that we’re a very difficult opponent to beat and a very unpleasant team to play against. So there’s this real buzz; you want this competition now. We want to show against the absolute top teams that we can compete.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.