No points at FC Schalke 04. After five consecutive unbeaten matches, the Lilies lost 1-0 away to Gelsenkirchen, failing to score for the first time since the end of August. How do Marcel Schuhen and Matej Maglica assess the 90 minutes at Schalke? What do the two head coaches have to say about the game? We've compiled all the comments for you.
„Congratulations to Miron and Schalke on a well-deserved home win. The first half was evenly matched. We had a few breakthroughs on the left, but we weren’t able to capitalise on them. Schalke, on the other hand, had two very good chances in the first half, one of which they converted. They also had a lot of verticality overall. After the break, Schalke were clearly better in the first 20 to 25 minutes. A 2-0 lead was in the air, even though they didn’t have a clear chance. With our substitutions – the lads put in a lot of energy again – we regained control without being able to create any clear chances. That’s why we have to go home with a defeat today. But we’ll see each other again on Wednesday and want to get a different result at home at Bölle.“
„It was a good and strong performance from us. The first half was initially well-balanced. Darmstadt played well, even though their top striker was missing. That was obviously an advantage for us. Overall, we should have put more pressure on Darmstadt’s diagonal balls. In my opinion, we conceded them two or three times too easily. Darmstadt has a really good defensive structure. But we scored a really cool goal. We started well in the second half and simply have to reward ourselves. Darmstadt didn’t have their first shot on goal until the 75th minute, then went all-in. But we defended everything and didn’t allow any more really big chances. Now we need to take a breather and concentrate our energy for Wednesday evening.“
„It was a very even game that could have tipped either way. I had the impression that we had a lot of space with the ball and some good chances. But Schalke are very intense off the ball. You don’t have much time. With a bit more composure on the ball, we could have played a few things better. Schalke scored the goal in the first half and then defended well. We, on the other hand, need to stay calmer overall, because there was a lot of space we could have exploited. If we can do that, we can score against any team. Isac is, in my opinion, the best striker in the league. We’ve certainly missed him. But our squad is good enough. Anyone who plays can score a goal.“
…on the cup match next Wednesday:
„All I can say is that we’re looking forward to Wednesday. We’re playing at the Bölle, and it’s going to be a tough one. I’m already getting goosebumps. Especially at evening games, it’s very special with our fans. We definitely want to advance to the next round.“
„We didn’t have enough clear chances, but Schalke defended well. They also attacked well in the closing stages, preventing us from playing long balls from the flanks. They defended very high with their back line. That obviously carries risks, but when the offside trap works, then they played well. We tried hard at the back, but the opening phase was particularly decisive. There were two teams on the pitch that are very strong defensively. Sometimes it’s like this: whoever scores first wins the game. That was unfortunately the case. We gave it our all and gave it our all.
It wasn’t just because Isac was missing. I think Bartosz did very well. He played alone against three defenders who were defending very aggressively. He started the game after a long time, so compliments to him. We don’t need to talk about the fact that Isac has great quality. But his absence is no excuse for us. Schalke is in euphoria at the moment. The way they play football, With a lot of physicality and a lot of intensity, coupled with the atmosphere here, it fits together very well.“
…on Wednesday’s cup match:
„I hope the crowd is fired up on Wednesday. There’s no way around it. I hope people come to the Bölle and tear it apart – because that’s what we need. These are close-quarters games and they’re extremely fun, so we’re looking forward to Wednesday. We’re playing at home, which is a completely different game.“
Autographs, photos, and personal encounters with the Lilies: You'll have the opportunity to do so on Thursday (May 7th) from 5pm to 6pm. As part of an autograph session presented by Merck, Patric Pfeiffer, Kai Klefisch, and Fynn Lakenmacher will be at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. You'll also receive a ten percent discount in the fan shop during this time.
Darmstadt's 2-1 defeat at Karlsruher SC also ended any remaining theoretical hopes the South Hessian club had of finishing the season in the top three. The loss at the Wildpark stadium served somewhat as a symbol for the past few weeks, during which SV 98 had only managed one point from five matches since the international break in March. Following the game on Sunday afternoon, the Darmstadt players addressed the assembled media representatives with mixed feelings.
Three points! SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team secured a victory in the Lotto Hessenliga on Saturday afternoon (May 2nd). In their match against Hünfelder SV, the young Lilies overcame an early deficit to clinch a convincing 3-1 win. This result puts the U21 team currently outside the relegation zone. "Our trend is clearly upward," said a delighted U21 coach Sebastian Schmitt.
The successful collaboration between the Hessian Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association (HBRS) and SV Darmstadt 98 will continue long-term: Both partners have extended their existing agreement to promote inclusive sports indefinitely. This sends a clear signal for the sustainable development of inclusion and disability sports in Hesse.
A bitter end in Karlsruhe: After 90 entertaining minutes in which both teams sought salvation in attack, Darmstadt suffered a narrow defeat. The final score was 2-1 after a late goal from the home side, following Isac Lidberg's earlier equaliser. After the match, the players were particularly frustrated with the missed opportunities in the first half.
The away form continues to be poor: SV 98 suffered a 2-1 (0-0) defeat against Karlsruher SC. Lidberg scored the equaliser for the team from southern Hesse in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt 98 visit Karlsruher SC on matchday 32 (May 3rd, 1:30 PM). Florian Kohfeldt has made five changes to his starting lineup. Killian Corredor replaces the injured Fraser Hornby, Aleksandar Vukotic comes in for the suspended Patric Pfeiffer, and Fabian Holland starts in place of Matej Maglica, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Merveille Papela and Niklas Schmidt also join the team, replacing Sergio Lopez and Yosuke Furukawa. In addition to Hornby, Pfeiffer, and Maglica, Darmstadt will also be without the injured Matthias Bader, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler.
Finally, the weekend is here, finally Sunday! On Sunday afternoon (May 3rd, 1:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will face Karlsruher SC away. What do the two coaches have to say about the match, who will be refereeing, and where can you watch it if you're not at the stadium? All the important information about the Lilies' 32nd matchday is compiled for you here in "Matchday Guide".
Continuity in sporting management: SV Darmstadt 98 has extended Paul Fernie's contract early and for the long term. As part of the contract extension, the current sporting director will move into the club's management board and will now serve as managing director of sport.
Our head coach spoke at the press conference before the away game against Karlsruher SC (May 3rd/1:30pm) about the mental freshness of his team, the course of action for the remaining games and his coaching colleague, whose commitment to KSC will end after six years this season.
Left hook, 'One hundred and eightyyyyyyy', and hand over the baton. Doesn't sound like football – and that's true. KSC is often associated with professional football, but with the sheer number of titles the club has won, it's worth looking beyond the pitch. Titles from Baden-Württemberg to Rome.
In a rescheduled Lotto Hessenliga match, SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team hosted SV Hummetroth at their youth academy on Wednesday evening (April 29th) but unfortunately came away empty-handed. Despite a spirited performance and playing with one man less, the score after 90 minutes was 3-1 in favour of Hummetroth.