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.
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
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.