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.
Darmstadt 98 lost to Hannover 96 while playing with ten men and must continue to wait for their first win of this second division season. Read our analysis to find out what positives remain and why Darmstadt 98 had factored in setbacks on their chosen path.
Around the time of the home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), the Jonathan Heimes Square was officially inaugurated. Before kickoff, club president Markus Pfitzner and Martin Heimes, father of Jonathan Heimes, who died of cancer about ten years ago, gave speeches highlighting "Johnny's" importance and his commitment to people with cancer.
The Lilien Team Marathon is not just about athletic performance and the shared experience around the Böllenfalltor stadium – but also about making a difference together.
The SV Darmstadt 98 U21 team drew 2-2 (0-1) against SV Unter-Flockenbach. After a heated home game, the young Lilies had to settle for a frustrating, but ultimately deserved, draw. In this extremely balanced league, Patrick Kurt's team continues to grow week by week, gaining valuable experience.
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.
