A floodlit match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. How excited are the players for Saturday evening's clash? What strengths of the opponent should Darmstadt be particularly wary of? And what is their own game plan? Ahead of SV Darmstadt 98's home game against FC Schalke 04 (March 21st/8:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered these and other questions at the press conference on Friday (March 20th). We've summarised the most important statements from the Darmstadt coach for you.
Personnel update: Saturday’s game comes too soon for Bartosz Bialek. Fabian Nürnberger’s participation is slightly uncertain due to a minor thigh injury. All other players are currently available.
Fraser Hornby and Killian Corredor trained throughout the entire week. They were very robust and completed even the most intense sessions. We are optimistic that nothing will stand in the way of their participation. It’s a great feeling to have them back. Both bring a personality that is a real asset to our team. They also provide depth in our play, offering numerous runs in behind the defence and contributing to our pressing. This helps maintain the right balance within our squad.
Every team in the league has to deal with injuries from time to time. Since Christmas, we’ve had a lot of key players sidelined repeatedly – some for extended periods. But I’ve been very pleased with the lads who’ve picked up a lot of points for us in recent games. We’ve shown that we have incredible depth in our squad. It’s also about team cohesion, structure, and roles within the team. The most important thing is that we’re a strong group. We won’t let setbacks break us. The lads who are coming back are obviously crucial because they’re taking on leadership roles. This also gives us incredible options for bringing on fresh legs from the bench. We have a lot of guys there who have played crucial roles for us in recent weeks.
The questions about the league table aren’t annoying. They actually indicate that we’re in a very good position in mid- to late March. And yet, I’m not looking at the table because it won’t affect Saturday’s game. The table doesn’t influence what will happen on Saturday. What’s clear is that two top teams in this league are facing each other. To deny that would be nonsense: it’s the league leaders playing the second-placed team. And in a situation where it’s clear that the winner will be top of the table after this match. Schalke has a structure, a pressing game, and quick transitions, where clear patterns of play are evident. They also possess incredible individual quality. They have all the attributes of a top team. Accordingly, we’re looking forward to a top match on Saturday evening.
Schalke used the winter transfer window to dramatically improve the quality of their squad – especially in attack. They’ve adapted their playing style accordingly. In the first half of the season, Schalke scored goals – in the best sense of the word – through aggressive pressing, quick transitions, and set pieces. Now they’re still a team that presses extremely high and brings a lot of physicality and power to the pitch. However, Schalke also has some creative options from their back line to set up their attacking players. Yes, Edin Dzeko has been a key factor in Schalke’s attacking play in recent weeks. But he’s now being replaced by Moussa Sylla, a striker who scored 16 goals last season.
We’ve shown versatility this season. That’s one of our greatest strengths. In attack, we can be dangerous in many situations – whether through possession, set pieces, counter-attacks, or even situational direct passes behind our defence. Possession remains our strongest phase, though. It will be crucial that we find the right balance again. Defensively, we’ll have to play both phases: We’ll have to defend deep, which is normal in top matches. Schalke will certainly have to do the same. Furthermore, we need to be highly active to impose our style of play.
Thank you for the kind words from Miron Muslic at yesterday’s press conference. It’s always gratifying to hear such praise from a renowned expert. Overall, Schalke is having an outstanding season under his leadership – with their style of football and their identity. This is coupled with a squad that complements their style perfectly and covers a vast range of aspects of their game. The calm atmosphere within the club, their playing identity, and the individual quality: all of these elements have come together for Schalke this season. That’s why they’re where they are in the standings. We’re all looking forward to an exciting match between the two teams. Because ultimately, the players are what matter most, not the coaches.
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: