Right from the start, the Lilies threw themselves at all balls that flew even remotely in the direction of their own goal. “We defended well at the back and threw ourselves into everything,” acknowledged Tim Skarke, who provided a great moment during the first half and caused the Böllenfalltor to tremble with his goal to make it 1-0. This is also proof that it only works together. Mathias Honsak, who had previously dribbled his way through the defense of the German record champions, could also have finished himself. “But he sees me and puts his pass to me. You could see the team spirit on this goal,” praised SV 98’s number 27.
The South Hessians showed themselves to be courageous and, above all, passionate on the defensive. The Lilies also flashed their offensive courage several times. Skarke and Oscar Vilhelmsson scored two goals together against the record champions. The Swedish attacker also hit the crossbar and Sebastian Polter hit the post. And then Manuel Neuer kept his team in the game with a Honsak finish in the first half. But it is also clear that SV Darmstadt 98 was exposed to the brutal quality of FC Bayern Munich throughout the entire game. The statistics would later count 7:27 shots on goal in favour of Munich. The record champion? They have an exceptional team that, alongside so many other world-class players, also has an absolutely exceptional player in its ranks, Jamal Musiala. He entered the top scorer’s list twice, as did Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry and Mathys Tel once each. “It was difficult to defend Bayern’s power,” Skarke had to admit and then clearly added: “We stuck with it and did never put back. We never lost faith and performed as a team. That must give us courage.”
