How does Florian Kohfeldt feel about the new season and the first game of the season on Saturday (August 2nd, 1pm) against VfL Bochum? How does he assess the strengths of the Lilies' opponent this weekend? And what does the Lilies head coach have to say about new signing Marco Richter? Kohfeldt answered these and other questions at the press conference on Thursday (July 31st). We've summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: Paul Will, Matthias Bader, Jean-Paul Boetius, and Bartosz Bialek are unavailable for Saturday. Fabian Holland is back in the squad. Killian Corredor remains a question mark. Max Pfister will play for the U21s in the Hessenliga on Saturday. Marco Richter is already a candidate for Bochum; he participated in the entire preseason with Mainz and is in very good physical condition.
Test matches and preparations are important, but they feel like a bratwurst without mustard (laughs). On Saturday the mustard finally comes into play and I feel such anticipation. In preparation there are hard facts in the sense of: What have we achieved and built up physically? I have a very good feeling in this regard because we got almost all of our players through the preseason injury-free. Then there is the subjective feeling: How is the dressing room developing as a group? I am very positive about that too – especially with the new team council, which is bringing new energy and a clear hierarchy to the team. Everything else is still just guesswork at the moment. We will be able to say more about that after the end of the transfer window and a few games.
Our opening match will be against one of the absolute candidates for promotion. Bochum is one of them due to their financial resources and the players they have brought in and kept, such as Ibrahima Sissoko, Matúš Bero, Timo Horn, and Kevin Vogt. This morning, we talked about Bochum’s target players for set pieces, and we couldn’t even get them all on the same page. In their team, you’re already an outsider if you’re under 1.85 meters tall. Their set piece takers are also of high quality – and that can be a decisive factor in a tight league. That’s why set pieces will play an important role this weekend. But we also have one or two players who can make an impact on set pieces, both at the front and at the back.
On Saturday afternoon, we’ll certainly get a first sense of where we stand. But one thing is clear: the first matchday won’t determine the course of the entire season. We’ll have an initial assessment of where we stand—both in terms of performance and results—compared to one of the strongest squads in the league. But after this matchday, we won’t yet know exactly where we’re headed this season.
We don’t want to let go of any more players, but we’re not at the top of the food chain. Our players‘ performances last season have aroused interest. Therefore, we can’t yet say with absolute certainty what will happen until the end of the transfer window. Only then will we be able to assess more accurately where we’re headed this season. Assuming no further departures—unless an exceptional situation arises—we are very satisfied with the current squad.
We’re delighted to have secured a player like Marco Richter to join us this year. I’ve known him for a long time. Marco is a creative player who finds solutions in tight spaces and is a two-footed player. He possesses a strong counter-pressing instinct and is a true competitor. He fits our profile perfectly in the number 10 positions and will also give us more versatility up front. We’re convinced that Marco can already be a candidate for the match against Bochum. He participated in the entire preseason and is in very good physical condition.
Djanga will be fully integrated back into reserve training on Sunday. Fabi was unfortunately ill during the training camp but has now returned to full training. He’s not currently a candidate for the starting eleven, but given his experience, I would definitely consider him a possible option for the weekend squad.
At the beginning of my time last season, I wasn’t satisfied with Otto. However, after his injury, he returned more mature and completed a solid preseason. He’s worked his way much closer to the team—but not to the point where he can get regular playing time yet. Conversely, I no longer see the Hessenliga as an adequate level for him. Therefore, we believe a loan could make sense for him at this point. Not in the sense that we want to get rid of him, but with the clear goal of him returning next year to seriously compete for playing time. Overall, I see a very positive development in Otto.
After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.