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.
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: