After almost exactly a month, the Lilies will be playing their first home game at the Merck Stadium. How does Florian Kohfeldt feel about the clash with Spielvereinigung Greuther Fürth (April 5, 1pm)? At the press conference on Thursday (April 3), the SV 98 head coach answered questions about the upcoming match. We’ve summarised Kohfeldt’s most important comments for you.
Personnel update: Holland, Bader, Will, Zimmermann, as well as Klefisch, Vilhelmsson, and El Idrissi are unavailable. Hornby returns from suspension, and Dreskovic is also back in the mix.
I took this very positively and think it’s very useful. When players talk among themselves and discuss things, it’s often more effective than a coach’s announcement. I was in on it and perceived it as very mature and success-oriented. It shows that the team wants to do something on their own initiative.
A lot has changed for Fürth compared to the first leg. They have a new coach, Jan Siewert, and they are playing with a different formation. In the first leg, they played with a back four; now they’re playing with a back three. They brought in some quality players over the winter. Normally, the attacking focus is on Branimir Hrgota, but he’s now suspended. We’re a little excited to see how their game develops without him. Fürth isn’t constantly pressing, but is waiting compactly for the right moment. They’ve definitely stabilised, and we’re going into this home game with a lot of respect.
The situation is dangerous. That’s why we’re very vigilant, but by no means panicked. I stand by my statements on that. We still have the opportunity to finalise the issue of avoiding relegation in a timely manner. Overall, we’re very vigilant as we head towards the bottom of the table. And we don’t want to let this season’s results remain the same. The points we’ve picked up since January don’t match the way the games have been going, and they don’t live up to our expectations. The basic point of this game is to win, not to put in a great performance. I prefer to play well and win. If that’s not possible, then I’m happy to win. It’s about picking up points.
The connection with the fans is one of the developments this season that I want to highlight. When I started in September, the relationship was strained. A lot of it revolved around who had to take the first step to get support back. Those issues are completely gone. I’m really looking forward to arriving here on the bus again on Saturday. The support and the bond between fans and team is a huge factor.
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.