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.
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: