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.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
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: