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.
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: