Ahead of the first home game of 2026, Florian Kohfeldt discusses the loaned-out players and assesses the two new signings. He also comments on the opponent. Our head coach addresses these and other topics before the match against 1. FC Nürnberg on Friday (January 23rd/6:30pm). We have compiled the most important statements from the press conference for you.
Personnel update: Matthias Bader, Bartosz Bialek and Killian Corredor remain sidelined with injuries. All other players are available.
There are understandable reasons for both departures. Both need playing time for their development. In Leon’s case, it’s a little more obvious. With Paul, I want to emphasise that we found a way forward together. He was an important part of our team. We considered long and hard whether this was the right move. Paul has the potential to be a regular starter for us, and we simply had bad timing: first the cruciate ligament tear, then he was ill during winter training. Furthermore, the guys in the double pivot, Hiro, Kai, and Mey, did an outstanding job. Our focus was clearly on his development. He’s now doing „the longest training camp in the world“ so that he can become a crucial player for us again in the summer.
Regarding Niklas Schmidt, I have to say that signing him was a fantastic achievement by Paul Fernie. It’s anything but a given to bring in a player from FC Toulouse who was already a Bundesliga professional with Werder Bremen. This player can play as a creative attacking number 10 and also as a creative double pivot. We’ve become a bit smaller in terms of squad depth, but we’re flexible. Niklas isn’t a replacement for Killian. He’s someone who expands our options. Killian isn’t an option for tomorrow yet, but we’re on the right track. I’m looking forward to having both Killian and Niklas in the squad soon.
Raoul Petratta is an experienced and established player, a technically gifted left-back. Due to his time in MLS, Raoul hasn’t had much team training in recent weeks and consequently hasn’t had much match practice. We’ll have to see if he’s ready for the squad yet. But we’re completely convinced of his fundamental quality. Overall, it was a very productive week for us, and we’re very happy with the group we’ll be going into the second half of the season with.
I have to give a huge shout-out to my coaching colleague. We left there in August when their squad was nowhere near what it is now. Miro had to make squad changes well into the season without any preparation, unlike us. Despite that, he managed to build a team with a clear style of play that is also successful. I know from my own experience how difficult that is. Nürnberg is a very strong team that constantly tries to find its rhythm and has moments of creativity. They keep integrating young players, like Scobel last matchday. They have speed with Zoma, and with Gruber and Lochoshvili, they have two very strong centre-backs in the tackle.
I have great respect for Nürnberg and the way they play football. But it’s also clear that we’re playing at home. We’re unbeaten at the Bölle all season. In fact, we’re unbeaten in eight games. Even though the Bochum game wasn’t top-notch for the full 90 minutes, you have to say that the first half was very good, apart from those two lapses. We’re now looking forward to the game against Nürnberg and the fantastic atmosphere. It will be a very attractive match for the fans. We’re going into the game with the confidence that we can say: Yes, Nürnberg is a good opponent. But we definitely have something to offer as well.
We’ve already discussed how to optimise the interaction between the team and the fans. The team council consulted with them before the recent discussion about the atmosphere, and Schuh subsequently brought these topics into the discussion. It’s great that the fan scene is thinking about how this can be improved. We all talk about the special atmosphere that can and does exist at the Bölle. But after a stadium renovation, it always takes time to readjust. That’s why I think it’s fantastic that there’s an exchange of ideas.
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.
Lilies at the Wildpark! SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC this coming Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) for the 32nd matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. Will Darmstadt's positive record from recent encounters continue? Will Florian Kohfeldt and Isac Lidberg extend their scoring streak against KSC? And will Fabian Schleusener finally stop scoring against SV 98? We've compiled all the facts and figures for you.
SV Darmstadt 98 will be playing away against Karlsruher SC on Sunday (May 3rd/1:30pm) at the Wildpark Stadium for the 32nd matchday. To ensure you are well prepared for your trip to KSC, here is a summary of all the important information for your visit to the stadium.
To ensure a smooth and convenient journey to Karlsruhe this weekend, SV 98 is offering a special train service that will transport Lilies fans directly from Darmstadt to Karlsruhe and back. Additionally, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team will host SV Hummetroth at their home academy this Wednesday evening (April 29th). For more news and updates, check out our usual "Lilien Across the Board" – all the latest news about the club, gathered here for you.
