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.
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.