Successful Conclusion to Pre Season

Torsten Lieberknecht: “In the first half we lacked a bit of freshness, but over time it got better and we freed ourselves up. The set pieces were a big issue for us in preparation, so I’m pleased that we are posing a latent danger there. The boys wanted to present themselves against a good opponent today, the team did well overall.“

In the opening minutes, the guests had a little more possession of the ball, but the Lilies had the first chance: Vukotic headed a Marseiler corner towards the middle, where Hornby nodded the ball just over the goal (6th). Shortly afterwards, Eccles tried from distance, but the shot was off target (7′). As a result, the South Hessians had further promising opportunities through Vilhelmsson in the 14th and 16th minutes, but were unable to capitalise on them.

Afterwards, the action mainly took place in midfield, and the approximately 4,500 spectators in the Merck Stadium at the Böllenfalltor initially did not get to see any further chances. After 36 minutes, Coverntry City appeared in front of the goal again after a corner, but Darmstadt was able to rectify the situation. Shortly before the half-time whistle, the ball was in the net after Müller released his teammate Vilhelmsson with a pass and he converted in an ice-cold manner. However, the assistant adjudged Vilhelmsson to be offside. It remained a goalless draw at halftime.

At the start of the second half, Nürnberger was substituted on, making his debut after a forced break of months. It took until the 62nd minute before the first chance of the second half was visible. But it was tough: Mason-Clark was cleared in front of the goal, but Schuhen saved his side from going behind with a strong save. On the other hand, Marseiler cleverly passed a pass from Bader on to Nürnberger on the left side, whose powerful shot was a bit too imprecise (65′).

As a result, the home team established themselves in the opponent’s half and repeatedly had promising half-chances, but in which either the last bit of precision or timing was missing. But the Lilies stuck with it – and were rewarded: A Kempe corner found the head of Vukotic, who found the back of the net (76′). Shortly afterwards it almost happened again: Lakenmacher intercepted a back pass, went around the opposing keeper, but only hit the ball against the outside post from a very acute angle. The striker was allowed to celebrate in the second attempt. In the 82nd minute he increased the score to 2-0 after a cross from Nürnberger. A little later, Nürnberger finished from a promising position, but put the ball over the goal (88th). A little later it was over, SV 98 started the training week before the start of the second division with a positive feeling.

Lineup: Schuhen – Lopez (Stojilkovic, 83′), Marseiler (Kempe, 67′), Hornby (Müller, 34′), Klefisch (El Idrissi, 83′), Vukotic, Gjasula (Nürnberger, 45′), Bader (Torsiello, 83′), Will (Papela, 67′), Vilhelmsson (Lakenmacher, 67′), Riedel (Zimmermann, 67′)