Our head coach Florian Kohfeldt discusses Hannover 96's playing style, explains what's important for Darmstadt, and talks about Luca Marseiler's development. We've summarised the most important information from the press conference ahead of Saturday's match (November 8th, 1pm) between Hannover 96 and SV Darmstadt 98.
Personnel update: Fabian Nürnberger is still unavailable. It remains to be seen whether Alexander Brunst will be fit enough for Saturday.
Hannover is a very difficult opponent with a specific style of play and a clear game plan. Our main objective is to expose their weaknesses. They are a very possession-based team, but they also take a lot of risks. They play under a lot of pressure, pressing high and man-marking to force possession. We have to face these challenges. It’s a clash between two teams that have been very convincing in terms of performance so far this season. We haven’t always gotten the rewards we deserved for our efforts, as was the case against Bielefeld on Saturday. Hannover has also experienced this. We expect a very exciting match on Saturday.
It’s difficult to pinpoint Hannover’s weaknesses. They lie in their risk assessment. When they play every ball under pressure, it’s hard to contain them. But that’s precisely what you have to try to prevent. If you play a wide, open pitch, you create a lot of space, even when you don’t have the ball. Everyone knows that I really appreciate the way Christian Titz has his team play.
Possession-based football is something we also like to play. But we’re multifaceted in our play with the ball and have solutions that go beyond simply having possession, for example, looking for quick counter-attacks that come into play a fraction of a second earlier. It will also be a very exciting match tactically, where it will come down to who brings more intensity to the pitch.
We had a tough week. We were still playing in the cup, which meant we had a midweek fixture with the smallest possible gap between Schalke and Bielefeld. Therefore, not all players were able to play the full 90 minutes. But we recovered and trained as usual. Fraser’s absence against Bielefeld was also just a sign of fatigue. Accordingly, we expect all players to be fully available.
I’d like to dispel the myth that the second half was Bielefeld’s half. Bielefeld’s tactical change happened in the 20th minute. I didn’t feel that this posed any major challenges for us tactically. In the second half, Bielefeld had two shots on goal and one wide, but we still had four clear-cut chances.
After the Magdeburg game, I also said that it was a poor performance from us. But in this case, I want to defend my team and say: despite substituting four key players, we were the better team in the second half as well.
We haven’t won in four games in the second division, which is frustrating. However, in terms of performance, I think our last two games were very good – that’s the crucial point. Overall, this period of the season from October until now has been quite challenging, especially regarding personnel. All in all, we’re coming out of this phase with a solid performance. Of course, we’d like to win again, but we see ourselves as stable and on the right track.
I see his development as extremely positive. One development that isn’t so visible to the public is that he’s matured – in the way he approaches professional sports. When I arrived here, Luca was a free spirit. Last year, I gave him a stern talking-to. I told him that one of the greatest talents I’ve seen in my career would be wasted if he didn’t develop in this respect.
With a little time, and here I have to commend my coaching staff, but also Luca himself, who was willing to leave his comfort zone, he’s found a seriousness in his game and in his work that allows his strengths to shine through. Luca is always fit and a very good example of how personal and athletic development become visible on the pitch. For me, Luca has been one of Darmstadt’s best players in recent months.
He came through the midweek fixture very well. He’s in top form, and I’m delighted about that. That’s not something to take for granted after such a long break. It speaks volumes about his professionalism. He brings experience to the team and is a strong presence on the pitch. He has a good sense of risk and can orchestrate the game well from left-back. That’s why he’s earned his playing time in recent weeks and, like Leon Klassen, is an option for the match in Hannover.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
In an intense 90 minutes between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf, the Lilies fought back to secure three points shortly before the final whistle. The early lead taken by the team from southern Hesse was quickly erased by the Rhinelanders. The match became increasingly wild and physical. The second half remained evenly contested, but in the end, SV 98 once again demonstrated their fighting spirit: Matej Maglica's late header sealed the three points. What do the players and the two head coaches have to say about this thrilling encounter? We've compiled all the post-match reactions.
SV Darmstadt 98 remain a force to be reckoned with at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! The Lilies defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-1 (1-1) on matchday 23. It's their sixth consecutive home win, bringing their total to 45 points. Hornby opened the scoring for the home side after just seven minutes, before Maglica (88th minute) netted the decisive goal in the second half.