Figures & Facts: The Top Facts before the Nürnberg Game

SV Darmstadt 98 made a convincing start to the new season: In their 4-1 home win against VfL Bochum, the Lilies showed enthusiasm, efficiency – and, above all, hunger for goals. The focus of last Saturday afternoon was Isac Lidberg, who not only became the match-winner with a hat trick, but also secured his place in the 2. Bundesliga history books: No player has ever scored more goals on a league opening matchday.

With this confidence, they now head to their away game in Nürnberg, where the South Hesse team will once again rely on a solid team performance to achieve success away from home. 1. FC Nürnberg, on the other hand, had a bitter start to the season: In a match that was evenly matched for much of the season against SV Elversberg – last year’s relegation playoff contender for promotion to the Bundesliga – the Franconians conceded the decisive goal in the 90th minute following a corner kick, making it 0-1.

With Aleksandar Vukotić (2.01m) and Patric Pfeiffer (1.96m), the Lilies‘ defence boasts two true defensive giants – and thus a strong physical presence. But height isn’t just an asset in defence: SV Darmstadt 98 also posed a threat from attacking set pieces in their first match of the season against VfL Bochum, proving efficient. The South Hesse side scored two goals from corners: Vukotić won the opening goal with his power in a header, setting up the goal. He was then on hand for the second set piece, heading the ball directly into the net.

Last season, former DFB striker Miroslav Klose’s team boasted the fourth-best attack in the 2. Bundesliga with 60 goals. Following the departure of their top scorer, Stefanos Tzimas (12 goals), who returned to Brighton after his loan spell ended, Nürnberg now needs other goal-scoring players. With the signings of Semir Telalović, Mickaël Biron, Artem Stepanov, and Noah Maboulou, the Franconians have brought promising attacking talents on board – players who have the potential to breathe new life into the attack. Under a coach like Miroslav Klose, who was once the epitome of coolness in front of goal, the conditions should be ideal.

145 days – that’s how long 1. FC Nürnberg has now waited for a home victory. The Lilies, too, haven’t celebrated an away win since their 2-1 victory at Hannover 96 at the end of November last year. The conditions are perfect for a hard-fought clash between two highly motivated teams who are desperate to emerge victorious on Friday. A look at SV Darmstadt 98’s statistics is encouraging: The Club has only managed to win twice in their last ten home games against the Lilies.

1. FC Nürnberg currently has three players in its squad who have previously worn the Lilies jersey: Christian Mathenia guarded the goal for SV Darmstadt 98 from 2014 to 2016. During this time, he made 34 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga and played a part in the team’s promotion to the Bundesliga. He also played 33 times between the posts for the Lilies in the following first-division season before moving to Hamburger SV. Julian Justvan was on loan to SVD from TSG Hoffenheim in the second half of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. In 14 appearances, the attacker scored two goals and provided two assists. Benjamin Goller wore the Lilies jersey in the first half of the 2021/22 season. The winger joined the club on loan from SV Werder Bremen and contributed two goals and one assist in his twelve appearances.

On the Lilies‘ side, there is one player who knows the traditional Franconian club very well: Fabian Nürnberger began his career in 2018 with 1. FC Nürnberg’s reserve team before becoming a permanent fixture in the first team in 2019. Until his move to SV Darmstadt 98 in 2023, the versatile defender played a total of 108 competitive matches for the club, scoring nine goals and providing six assists.