The multi-phase game in analysis

The goal to make it 1:2 shortly after the restart. The Magdeburgers were extremely effective in the second half and converted their only chance to score. Just as they had scored in the first half with their first chance to date. After the FCM opening goal a real battle developed, with several great opportunities the home team pushed more and more vehemently for the equaliser as the second half progressed. Darmstadt ran forward and created several promising chances, especially when they were in the majority. But the goal that was due simply didn’t come.

The start of the game. The team started energetically, exerting a lot of pressure and dominance. The first big chance was achieved after just three minutes, but Luca Marseiler’s free-standing header from Bueno’s cross was saved. As a result, Darmstadt also showed themselves to be more grippy and tried to bridge the midfield quickly and purposefully when they had possession of the ball. This was not only achieved with Isac Lidberg’s opening goal, but also afterwards, for example when Sergio Lopez found team-mate Killian Corredor and the Frenchman’s shot sailed just wide of the goal. And even in Magdeburg’s pressure phase, the home team had a great opportunity to take the lead again through Fraser Hornby’s shot, which was parried by FCM keeper Reimann. Lilien head coach Florian Kohfeldt: “I think it’s a shame that we’re only leading 1-0 after 20 minutes. Because with Luca’s header and Killian’s finish, we had great chances to add a second goal.”

The fresh blood. The Lilien’s substitutes brought new impetus into the game and initiated the phase in which the home team pushed with all their might for the 2-2. Fynn Lakenmacher and Philipp Förster came on after an hour for Isac Lidberg and Fraser Hornby, who were suffering from health problems, and gave SV 98’s game new impetus. Lakenmacher worked as usual and Förster managed to organise the South Hesse game with his control on his Lilien debut. Substitutes Merveille Papela, Fabian Nürnberger and Tobias Kempe also contributed to the final offensive. “Everyone who came in had an impact,” said Kohfeldt. And added: “It has to be something that is important to us and has to be included in the team. A substitution in the 55th minute shouldn’t be the end of the world for any player. You have to go all out until the 55th or 60th minute and then you’ll see what happens next.”

The phase from the goal conceded to the break. With the equaliser, the FCM continued its performance of the past few weeks and gained a lot of field and ball control with its technically strong players. The South Hessians, on the other hand, barely managed to launch relief attacks and free themselves from the hold, apart from the Hornby chance. After all: the Lilien defense was exposed to a heavy siege in its own half, but apart from Krempicki’s header in the 33rd minute and Amaechi’s finish after 39 minutes, it didn’t allow any real chances. Nevertheless, the home team must not allow themselves to be pushed back so badly after their good start. Kohfeldt: “Even if it wasn’t a firework of chances from Magdeburg, you have to say that we lost control in the 20 or 25 minutes up to halftime,” Kohfeldt also openly admitted.

The exploitation of opportunities. Magdeburg appeared almost ice-cold in front of the opponent’s goal, but Darmstadt failed to convert the advantages in the positive phases of the game into even more earnings. Especially in the final phase after Magdeburg’s Mathisen was sent off, the Lilies, who were dominant at the time, had to score a goal. “We are facing a team that is one of the top teams in the league in terms of its style of play and structure,” Kohfeldt praised the opponent: “It’s no coincidence that they haven’t lost yet.” They themselves in the second half stayed courageous and didn’t allow ourselves to be knocked down: “A draw would have been deserved over the 90 minutes.” But: “Today we weren’t able to make the most of the phases of the game that we had on our side. Magdeburg, on the other hand, used their phase perfectly.”