For many years, fans of 1. FC Magdeburg dreamed of a return to professional football. The club from eastern Germany, which won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1974, was often referred to in Magdeburg as a "sleeping giant." Long trapped in the country's lower leagues, FCM was at one point financially on the brink. But the "sleeping giant" was revived.
Step by step, 1. FC Magdeburg fought its way back up the ladder. Under head coach Jens Härtel, who took over in 2014, the big breakthrough came: In the 2014/15 season, FCM crowned champions of the Regionalliga Nordost and prevailed in two play-off matches against Kickers Offenbach – securing the long-awaited promotion to the 3. Liga. Successful years in professional football followed: two consecutive fourth-place finishes and finally the historic promotion to the 2. Bundesliga in 2018. After a brief interlude in the second division, relegation followed, but the passion and the will to quickly return remained.
Under coach Christian Titz, the Blue-Whites achieved promotion back to the 2. Bundesliga in 2021/22 – this time securing their place in the lower tier of German football, where FCM has played ever since. However, the current standings are not looking good for Magdeburg. After eight matchdays, they are in 18th place.
We took a closer look at 1. FC Magdeburg in our opponent check.
| Top Goalscorers | Top Assists |
| Alexander Ahl-Holmström- 2 Goals | Laurin Ulrich – 2 Assists |
| Jean Hugonet – 1 Goal | Jean Hugonet – 1 Assist |
| Rayan Ghrieb- 1 Goal | Baris Atik – 1 Assist |
| Noah Pesch – 1 Goal | Eldin Dzogovic- 1 Assist |
On Sunday (October 12th), 1. FC Magdeburg released its head coach Markus Fiedler and his two assistant coaches, Andreas Schumacher and Saban Uzun, with immediate effect. The U23 coaching duo of Petrik Sander and Pascal Ibold, along with assistant coach Silvio Bankert, will take over on an interim basis. This interim team is expected to also take the bench next Sunday (October 19th, 1:30pm) at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, unless FCM hires a new head coach beforehand.
1. FC Magdeburg are actually doing pretty well offensively. The team from the Elbe River is consistently and purposefully pursuing the forward path, which is clearly reflected in the numbers: With a total of 125 shots on goal, FCM is one of the second-division teams that most frequently aim for the opponent’s goal. Only Paderborn (128) and Elversberg (129) are better in this statistic and have recorded more shots on goal. But here comes the big but: The Bördestadt team lacks consistency in their finishing. They have scored just seven goals this season, jointly with Nürnberg, the lowest tally in the league.
It’s a chilly training morning in Magdeburg. The ball bounces off the boot of a young midfielder with a dull thud. Laurin Ulrich briefly raises his head, plays a low pass into the back, and calls out a quick instruction to his teammate. Routine – yet there’s something new in every move. The 20-year-old is considered a strong, technically sound midfielder who can set the tempo and open up space – qualities that Magdeburg could certainly use this season.
Born and raised in East Württemberg, Ulrich’s football career began at TSG Nattheim. In 2016, he moved to the VfB Stuttgart youth team – a move that has become a test case for many young talents from the region. Ulrich quickly attracted attention at VfB: In the 2021/22 B-Junioren Bundesliga, he led his team to the division title as playmaker, scoring twice in the semi-final second leg. This paved the way to the final of the German U17 Championship – an early exclamation mark.
His development did not go unnoticed. In the summer of 2022, Ulrich signed a long-term contract with VfB Stuttgart, and shortly thereafter, he received the silver Fritz Walter Medal – one of the highest honors for young players in Germany. Just a few months later, on November 12, 2022, he made his Bundesliga debut against Bayer Leverkusen. However, Ulrich primarily played for Stuttgart’s second team in the Regionalliga Südwest (Southwest Regional League). He impressed with his consistency and game intelligence: three goals, ten assists, and a decisive contribution to promotion to the 3. Liga (German Third League). The DFB (German Football Association) also recognises his name: Ulrich made his debut for the German U16 national team in 2020, and later captained the U17 team at the 2022 European Championship.
New chapters. For the 2024/25 season, he was loaned to SSV Ulm to gain second-division experience. However, Ulrich rarely played there. He returned to VfB Stuttgart after the winter break – to the reserve team with the goal of returning to his previous form. Since this summer, he has been on loan at 1. FC Magdeburg. A new club, a new opportunity in the 2. Bundesliga. He is expected to bring to FCM’s midfield the qualities that distinguished him in Stuttgart: vision, precision, and the composure to steer the game rather than letting it carry him along.
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.