On Saturday (October 4th at 1pm), SV Darmstadt 98 travels to Holstein Kiel. We've summarised the most important information from the pre-match press conference for you.
Personnel update: Paul Will and Matthias Bader have returned to team training, but are not yet available for the away game.
For me, Kiel is a team that has had a very difficult start. Six of the seven teams they’ve played against are from the top third of the table. We’re the third league leaders they’re playing against. They haven’t necessarily talked about needing a shake-up, but have been relatively open about their desire to get promoted again and have invested accordingly. And you can see that in their games, too.
They’ve had a coach for many years who stands for a clear vision. They’re a very physical team, leading the league in terms of „intense runs“ – both in terms of high-speed runs and sprints. They generally play out of a back three and, in Bernhardsson, on the right in front of the back three, have an attacking player who is one of the league’s top players. Kiel has a clear vision of how they want to press – especially in home games, they go for it harder than away. I expect a team that will try to physically smother us, that plays very clearly and quickly up front and is very determined. That’s a tough opponent waiting for us up north.
I’m not at all interested in the record against Kiel because I wasn’t there for the games. Kiel isn’t right next to Bremen, so there’s no real sense of home. But you know Kiel – it’s a traditional club in the north. They’ve done a great job in recent years. I have a lot of respect for that, including for the club’s overall development. A nice old acquaintance of mine, Finn Bartels, ended his career there. A former player, Patrick Erras, plays there. There are a few similarities, but I’m far from having an incredible connection to it.
It’s very difficult to predict the outcome of games in the league because every team has characteristics that allow them to win games. What’s exciting is that we’ve played against very different opponents and have often found different solutions.
Our game plan is based on being able to outplay an opponent when necessary, being able to hurt an opponent by winning the ball, and also being able to stay compact during certain phases of the game. The team’s form always says something. And Kiel has often faced opponents in peak form so far this season.
I’m happy about everyone who’s at the training ground. But everyone who was fit to play has already had their moment this season. Luca Marseiler comes in against Düsseldorf and has three goal contributions. Or Matej Maglica against Braunschweig.
These players are constantly changing, which then provide highlights. This also shows the players that it’s worth sticking with it. We’re in October, and there’s not a single player yet who has said: „Then I’ll just be number 16-19 in the squad.“ I’ve never had that in my coaching career. Despite our clear focus and structure, the others are scratching their heads in a positive way. And yet, we have a very good relationship on a personal level. We have to get the players on board – not for tactical reasons, but because we need everyone. One of our greatest strengths this year is the group, and we’ve worked hard on that.
On the one hand, it is a bit of luck that we don’t have any injuries at the moment. The game has become more intense and more stressful for the players. On the other hand, I think this is also an issue that Paul Fernie can take credit for. We are pushing this issue very hard as a tandem. We have changed an incredible number of structures – be it meeting structures or the athlete management system that we have installed. Everyone knows about the players: the coach, the physio, and the athletic trainer. We always have to think first: What is important and good for the player? That won’t always work. But I believe that we have significantly increased the likelihood of having fewer injuries. I am very pleased that we have been able to make a lasting impact on this development in this area too.
The mood is good. That’s fine when you’ve earned the points we did. Honestly, though, that doesn’t matter for the game in Kiel. We know it’s a very difficult away game. We deliberately trained for a long week because we feel we want to continue working with focus and confidence. It’s a really difficult game in Kiel – but we’re also approaching it with the confidence that we’ve found a variety of, yet always appropriate, solutions over the past few weeks.
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.