U21: A Herculean effort whilst down to 10 men wasn’t enough

In this crucial match, the Darmstadt U21s faced unexpected challenges right from the start. After just 13 minutes, Loan Schnerring had to leave the field injured, replaced by Imad Jaadar. Jaadar’s introduction was immediately followed by a yellow card and a direct free-kick goal for Hummetroth (15′). Less than ten minutes later, Jaadar received another yellow card, resulting in his dismissal. First the goal conceded, then a man down. „That was an incredibly difficult situation for the team,“ explained U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt to sv98.de. Before halftime, Hummetroth capitalised on a defensive lapse by Darmstadt’s U21 side, extending their lead to 2-0 after 32 minutes.

Giving up? Not an option for the U21s. Despite being down a man and playing with ten men, the young Lilies rallied once more. „The team decided during halftime that they wanted to keep pushing and give it their all. And that’s exactly what we did,“ praised Schmitt. For much of the second half, it was impossible to tell that the U21s were playing with ten men.

This effort was rewarded when Manolo Merx (62nd minute) curled a superb shot from the left edge of the penalty area into the corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Schmitt: „The reaction in the second half was really good.“ However, the final say belonged to SV Hummetroth – the visitors sealed the victory with a penalty in the 81st minute. But this fighting spirit gives courage and confidence. „The team is really alive,“ emphasised Schmitt, who also highlighted, with an eye on their position in the table: „We know we can do it.“

Despite the 3-1 defeat, the U21 coach saw some positives. „Coming back into the game like that from the locker room gives us new energy. We have to use it,“ explained Schmitt, who concluded by saying: „We will continue with everything that entails. And that’s exactly how we’ll travel to Hünfeld.“ Because that’s where the young Lilies‘ fight to stay in the Hessenliga continues on Saturday (May 2nd/3pm).