How do the Lilies plan to approach the cup match against VfB Lübeck on Saturday (August 16th, 6pm)? What does Florian Kohfeldt think of the DFB Cup? And how does the head coach assess their opponents ahead of the upcoming clash? The Lilies coach answered these and other questions at the press conference on Thursday (August 14th). We've summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel Update: Paul Will and Sergio Lopez are still out for Saturday night’s game. All other players are available.
I think it’s great that at least 1,200 Lilien fans are here in Lübeck. This shows that there is interest in the Lilies and that the bond between fans and team is completely intact – that’s very important to me, and I’m very happy about it. Because of my northern German background, I know the Lohmühle very well; the Lilien fans will be clearly heard there.
For me, the „do or die“ principle embodies the DFB-Pokal. On Saturday nights, we know exactly what’s going on – it’s all about winning. And I love knockout matches. This competition makes for very special evenings and a unique atmosphere in the stadiums. In Germany, the DFB-Pokal enjoys an incredibly high status. The final in Berlin is the game of the year here, the one everyone wants to go to. For me, the DFB-Pokal is the greatest competition in German football.
We prepared for the opponent just as we would for a league match. Of course, you intuitively know more about teams like Nürnberg or Bochum than about Lübeck, but we analysed them both live and via video. Lübeck pursues a clear game plan with bold positional play on the ball and numerous positional changes in the centre. They usually operate with wide wingers and a striker – usually Antonio Verinac – who moves well. After a major shake-up in the squad, they signed many players from the region – including Fabio Istefo, whom I remember from my time in northern Germany. Nevertheless, with all due respect, you have to accept that they implement this at Regionalliga level.
We won’t know until Saturday evening whether Lübeck has a special plan for our game. Our mindset will be more crucial: We have to play very clearly from the first minute, with maximum focus and high intensity. Lübeck has the opportunity to gain enormous added value from this game, not only as a team but also as a club – we must be aware of that. At the same time, we must leave no doubt from the outset that we are so concentrated, focused, and intense that we can win the match.
The game has to tip in our favour at some point—when exactly doesn’t matter. No one should go into the match expecting us to be 2-0 up after ten minutes. That’s not what we’re after. Our goal is to leave Lübeck as winners after 90 minutes—or extra time if necessary. We have plans both for when Lübeck presses high and for when they drop back. I have only one goal on Saturday: to reach the second round of the DFB-Pokal. The result is the only thing that matters—that’s part of this competition, too.
The Lohmühle is a very distinctive stadium, and we’re lucky to play there. However, you often have to work hard to focus on a first-round match. In the cup, you can sometimes feel like you’re playing at a regional sports facility—thankfully, in Lübeck, it’s completely different. There’s no point in dwelling on the past. The key is to fully concentrate on what lies ahead.
I won’t hand out gifts or rotate players just so certain players get playing time. One thing is clear to me: the best possible team will be on the pitch. I’m also not a fan of automatically fielding the reserve goalkeeper in cup matches. My job is to exemplify total focus, and that includes leaving nothing out in our preparations—including the decision to field the strongest eleven.
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.