On Friday (October 24th/6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to FC Schalke 04. We have summarised the most important information from the pre-match press conference for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Nürnberger remains out. Sergio Lopez is suspended. All other players are available.
So far, I’ve only been thinking about tomorrow’s away game, but not about Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal match. An away game at Schalke is currently one of the toughest matches you can face in the second division. We’ve dealt with that. We’re not looking ahead to Wednesday yet.
Miron Muslic has managed to get the team to believe pretty unconditionally in what they’re playing. That’s remarkable. But I also see a lot of parallels between the two clubs. Last season was certainly not the easiest for either of them. But both have a clear game plan this year – not the same one, but a clear one. And you can see that clearly at Schalke. They are incredibly energetic and defend strongly going forward. The strikers also work incredibly hard. It’s no coincidence that they have the best defence in the league. They have conceded one goal less than us. With the ball, they are a team whose game is built on a lot of depth, garnished with top quality, especially in attack. The strikers are sought out quickly, and this also involves lots of crosses.
Miron has done an excellent job of bringing calm and sporting success to the club. I think Frank Baumann also plays a role in that. It’s always a collaboration between manager and coach – and it seems to be working extremely well. Similar to how it works between Paul Fernie and me here in Darmstadt, from what I’ve seen. That’s always the basis for success. We played against each other twice in Belgium. I really appreciate his approach. He’s very pleasant to talk to, but a brutal competitor in a game. I’m delighted to see him and found the exchange very pleasant. So we’ll talk, give each other a hug, and give our all in the game to ensure our team wins.
I don’t have a favourite opponent. I’m surprised myself when I read the record, because it’s quite unusual. But that doesn’t matter for tomorrow’s game. I like playing at Schalke. It’s a great arena and a fantastic club with a lot of emotion. But it’s always a tough match because the energy this arena can generate is a factor in games. So my personal record doesn’t matter at all for tomorrow’s match.
Last season’s matches don’t give us any positive momentum for tomorrow. It would be the biggest mistake to think that. Schalke this season really has nothing to do with Schalke last season. The games from last season no longer have any relevance for us.
Matze Bader will be in the squad and handled the match against Magdeburg well. We can vary between a back three and a back four, and we see it as our strength that we’re not tied to one system. We do have a few options. Defensive strength will also be an important aspect against Schalke, and it will be very decisive there.
We’re traveling to the second-placed team in the table. After nine matchdays, it’s fair to look at the table. We’re fourth, three points behind. Schalke are obviously strong opponents. But we also have something to play for. I didn’t want to give the impression that we’re going there as complete underdogs. For me, it’s a 50-50 game. Of course, on good days we have a playful element to our game. I hope we can rediscover that after the Magdeburg game. We’re also very intense without the ball and win possession a lot – we showed that against Magdeburg too. But we need to play them more cleanly. I think set pieces will be a big issue. Both teams are very good at set pieces. I think you could say this will be an absolute top game in the second division on Friday evening.
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: