Disappointment in football has different forms and origins. You can assume that you have not reached the level that you had planned before a competition. They can result from one mistake or wrong decision that affects the course of a crucial encounter. Or it arises because a really good performance was ultimately not enough to win. After a game after which you can hardly blame yourself for anything and yet you weren't rewarded with the right result. The latter form of dissatisfaction also hurts. However, it always contains a multitude of positive facets that give the existing discontent a colour that makes it much easier to take the next steps.
We have shown the face we want to show
“We showed the face we wanted to show,” said Paul Will after the final whistle. The midfield engine was of course not referring to the disappointed facial expressions of himself or his teammates after the final whistle, but rather characterised the performance that SV 98 had shown in the home game against 1. FC Nürnberg. A performance that deserved three points, but ultimately only resulted in one. At the same time it should represent an important step for the further course of the season.
“We played a really good game, had a lot of chances to score, played courageously, the pressing worked really well.” Will’s statements are backed up by numbers. The Lilies recorded 62 percent possession, won 53 percent of duels, had 19 shots on goal and collected 13 corners. Statistics that only belong to a draw in a few cases.
“It was just banal things that we have to do better,” summarised Will. What the 25-year-old meant specifically: tactics, structure, starting behavior, coordination and communication. SV 98 was able to put a check on all of these things on Sunday. However, there was still room for improvement when it came to exploiting opportunities and exploiting offensive standards. “Complaining at a high level,” Will called the critical points of his game analysis, which he rounded off succinctly: “We just have to add the second goal.”
The Lilies missed another goal in numerous actions, the guests from Nürnberg equalised after a good hour with a dream goal. Nevertheless, this performance gives a lot of encouragement for the rest of the season. “We are disappointed with the result, but not with the way we played football,” explained Torsten Lieberknecht, also classifying the events with a view to the season so far: “We have shown that our development is continuing to progress. Things are really coming together.”
The Lilies have improved their performance with each week, and now it’s time to get their first win of the season in the league. If the Darmstadt team maintain their level from the Nürnberg game, it should happen very soon. An assessment that Will also shares: “With such a performance we will be successful in the near future. There’s no other way.”
Especially since the southern Hessians are still far from reaching their limit after the upheaval in the summer. “There are many processes that need to continue to evolve. Where you get to know each other even better in the game. This will get even better, I promise. With every week we play together.”
The away game in Elversberg awaits Will & Co. next weekend. Combined with the hope that the faces after the final whistle will also express what all the Lilies want to see. A broad victorious smile.
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:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
