The journalists present asked the questions, Florian Kohfeldt provided the answers: The press conference took place on Friday morning (October 25th) before the home game of SV Darmstadt 98 against SSV Ulm (October 27th/1:30pm). The Lilien's head coach spoke about the duel on Sunday, the upcoming opponent and the inner workings of the team after the win against Köln. We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: Klaus Gjasula is out due to illness. Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader, Paul Will and Christoph Zimmermann are still missing.
It’s a game with a certain emotional starting point that you have to grasp. We had a Friday evening game against 1. FC Köln and had not won a home game in 383 days. We settled the issue with the win. The big challenge for us on Sunday is that we all bring the same energy to the pitch – we and the entire stadium. We will need that against a very well-organised opponent. We want to win here on Sunday. We will certainly have opportunities to do this too. But we will only succeed if we bring the same energy to the pitch as we did last Friday.
Different things will be required against Ulm than against Köln. We will have the ball more, but at the same time less space. We have to work a lot harder on speed on offense. We have to be extremely careful when it comes to counter-protection and counter-pressing. These are great strengths of the people of Ulm. They are a physically large team that can create danger through set pieces. At the same time, Ulm has also conceded one or two set-piece goals in the last few weeks. We have to be alert on offense and take advantage of our chances. I’m really looking forward to this game because it will require a different facet from us.
Ulm has a very good defense. They are extremely strong in running and tackling. They have the best tackle rate of all second division teams. SSV Ulm is a large, traditional club that has experienced remarkable development. We look forward to Sunday with great respect, but also with great joy.
We have a very high level of role satisfaction in the team. Of course, everyone has the right to be on the starting grid permanently. Every professional must have this claim. But we currently have a lot of players who understand their role in the team structure so that we can be successful as a team. Everyone has had their own personal successes and positive moments in the last few weeks. Then it becomes easier to fit into certain roles. Nevertheless, everyone has to have the right to show me that they want to be in the starting line-up at the weekend.
Of course we had a relaxed atmosphere on Friday evening and also on Saturday. We enjoyed the victory for a day. With the start of the new week I felt concentration and focus again. Ideally, we take away self-confidence and clarity from such games. What we must not take with us is laxity, that would be fatal. I didn’t notice any decrease in intensity or concentration. We have had a critical analysis. Overall, it was a convincing performance. Nevertheless, we had to work through a few topics. And we hope that we can take a step forward again against Ulm – even if it will be a different game.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
