SV Darmstadt 98 travels to the capital of Saxony-Anhalt on Friday, hoping to finally steal three points away from home. Meanwhile, 1. FC Magdeburg, currently bottom of the table, is under immense pressure in their fight to avoid relegation. What are the differences between these two teams? And where do they share any statistical similarities? We've compiled all the facts and figures about the clash between Darmstadt and 1. FC Magdeburg in this article. Here you'll find the top facts for Friday evening's match.
After the first eight matchdays, 1. FC Magdeburg had only three points to their name. But in the second half of the first half of the season, the East German side showed a significant improvement in performance – starting with the goalless draw at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor, where head coach Petrik Sander made his debut for FCM. They finished the first half of the season in 15th place with 17 points.
However, the second half of the season began in Magdeburg much like the first. Even though they have now collected six points after eight matchdays, they currently sit at the bottom of the table. Now the objective is clear: to make another final push, just like in the first half of the season, to reach safety. They plan to start this against Darmstadt once again…
The fact that 1. FC Magdeburg is at the bottom of the table isn’t due to a lack of scoring opportunities. On the contrary: with 418 shots on goal, they fired the most shots in the 2. Bundesliga.
What they lack, however, is that crucial bit of luck in front of goal. Only one in 13 shots finds the back of the net. In total, they’ve scored 35 goals. While this is an average figure for the league, the conversion rate could be higher given the number of chances they created. Darmstadt, on the other hand, may have fewer shots (339), but they convert one in seven of them, scoring 47 goals.
While SV 98 continued their seven-game winning streak at home against Holstein Kiel last matchday, they have picked up fewer points away from home. Furthermore, they haven’t managed a win in their last six away games – five draws and one loss. However, a closer look at these matches reveals the difficulty of these fixtures. A recent unlucky defeat in Dresden or games against a resurgent Bochum are just a couple of examples. SV 98’s last away victory was in Hannover last November. It’s about time for another win…
That Magdeburg possesses a strong playing style is evident in the fact that 28 of their 35 goals have come from open play. Darmstadt, on the other hand, have scored 32 of their 47 goals in this category. The gap widens considerably, however, when it comes to set pieces. While Darmstadt consistently excel in this area, having already scored 15 times, Magdeburg have only managed seven goals from them.
However, the Magdeburg players are quite accurate from outside the penalty area. They score just as often from set pieces as they do from long-range shots, with seven goals from outside the box being the best in the league.
What was that? Are FCM lacking that little bit of luck? They could be more clinical in front of goal. This is partly due to the fact that they hit the woodwork third most often in the league, a total of 14 times. But Darmstadt 98 are also struggling with this bad luck. Darmstadt have hit even harder: Florian Kohfeldt’s team have struck the woodwork 16 times – more than any other team in the league.
The team from eastern Germany has scored a surprisingly high number of goals – especially considering they are currently bottom of the table. They have scored as many as league leaders Schalke 04. However, Magdeburg’s biggest weakness is their defence. This season, FCM has conceded 41 clear-cut chances and, with 48 goals against, has conceded the second-most goals after Greuther Fürth (56).
Baris Atik played for Darmstadt on loan in the second half of the 2017/18 season. He currently wears the same blue and white colours, but with the logo of 1. FC Magdeburg on his chest. His personal record? It’s impressive. This second-division season, the former Darmstadt player has ten assists and scored four goals himself.
Darmstadt’s defence should also keep an eye on his attacking teammate, Mateusz Zukowski. He, too, is among the league’s top scorers. He has provided three assists and, with eleven goals, is currently fifth in the goalscoring charts.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5:3 |
|
Away |
5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7:6 |
|
Overall |
9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 12:9 |
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.