Ahead of the floodlit match against KSC (December 6th/8:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt discusses the quality of the opponent, his own approach, and the unique aspects of a Saturday evening game. We've summarised the most important statements from the press conference for you here.
Personnel update: Fraser Hornby remains sidelined. All other players are currently available.
I’m delighted that we have a Saturday night game again. I haven’t gotten used to it and I don’t want to, because it should remain something special. I’m looking forward to a great atmosphere and I think it will be a fantastic experience overall. I hope we can create that special Bölle atmosphere that this stadium is capable of generating. That’s the first thing I’m looking forward to when we head back here by bus tomorrow evening.
Don’t be fooled by KSC’s last three matches. Up until then, they were definitely among the top teams in the second division, and they still belong there in terms of quality, because they have top players in their ranks. Especially in attack, they have one of the best players in the league in Wanitzek, but KSC also has a lot of quality in central defence.
They had two tough matches against Elversberg and Hannover. All Darmstadt fans know how difficult these teams are to play against. Don’t let the recent results fool you. They’re adopting an even more footballing approach than last year and want to build attacks from the back. They have key players in Wanitzek and Förster. Defensively, they also try to press high, with phases where they drop deeper.
This will be a complex game for us, in which we will have to play through many phases, but I expect that we will need good solutions with the ball.
We had eleven shots on goal in Freiburg, which isn’t a small number. But it’s also clear that we can’t simply replace Fraser Hornby like for like. We’ve been thinking about how we can address this collectively.
We created scoring opportunities against Freiburg. The issue of playing with two strikers is a consideration, but even with Fraser, we didn’t play with two strikers. Fraser operated more in the space between the lines, in the number 10 role. Therefore, the question of the system isn’t about whether it would benefit Isac, because he was doing well without a second striker alongside him before. However, I don’t know what Karlsruhe’s tactics are. That’s why I’m leaning more towards playing with Isac and a few players around him.
Everyone was very disappointed that evening. But that’s a good thing. Trying to sugarcoat it is pointless. What I appreciate about the team, though, is their self-criticism. It also helps when you get right back to playing. Now comes the next highlight with the Saturday night game.
My disappointment disappeared yesterday at noon because we shifted our focus to KSC. We analysed KSC extensively and have a plan for how we want to approach them. We have great respect for KSC. They can beat any opponent in this league. But we can also display a certain amount of self-confidence. We’re unbeaten in several games and want that to be reflected on the pitch. Therefore, I expect a good mix of respect and self-confidence.
This season, when we’re preparing for games, we can rely on things we’ve practiced many times and know work well, especially during short weeks. The team is in good physical condition.
We only have one player out, an important one, but we’ll be fully fit tomorrow, so I’m not worried at all. There’s nothing better than playing, recovering, and playing again.
Our own home record is something we carry with us, even if we don’t say it. You have a good feeling when you play here. KSC’s away record is irrelevant. I wouldn’t overemphasise it; it always depends on the circumstances. I would definitely be happy if we remain unbeaten and, ideally, secure a victory.
I expect us to be just as active in both attack and defence as we were in the cup match, but only with the ball. We’ll certainly use ball recovery to our advantage again, at least situationally. Our approach is always to try and have a complete game plan, not just focus on individual phases of the game. We’ve had periods where, for example, we’ve managed to hold onto narrow leads with a solid, deep defensive line. That’s part of our game plan because it’s pragmatic and simply important for results. Therefore, it’s entirely possible that we’ll see that style of play again on Saturday. I was very pleased with how we played in Freiburg, though.
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: