Press conference with Florian Kohfeldt. The head coach of SV Darmstadt 98 was available to the journalists present on Thursday afternoon (September 26th) as a conversation partner before the Lilies' home game against 1. FC Magdeburg (September 28th/1pm). The coach talked about the upcoming encounter, but also looked back on the win against Schalke. He also answered questions about his own game idea and the two new additions. We have summarised the most important statements for you.
Personnel update: In addition to the long-term injured Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader and Paul Will, Oscar Vilhelmsson is still missing. Klaus Gjasula and Tobias Kempe missed the week due to illness. Whether they are an option for the squad will become clear later in the week.
If you look at the season so far and the development of FCM, Magdeburg is the favourite on paper. However, I feel that we are very willing to get our first home win. We didn’t lose twice at home. The win at Schalke also built a bridge for us into the season. We now have to go over these. We have a clear intention of getting a home win. There is a desire within the team to say against a top team in the league: “Hey, we have to beat us first.” This mentality is good for us. We should combine them with another step forward in football content. We will need this. Because Magdeburg will be the most challenging game in terms of content.
I try to weight the elements of our idea of football towards the opponent so that the elements that best suit the opponent are more prominent. But it won’t be a completely new idea.
We didn’t have 90 top minutes at Schalke last week. Especially in the first half we can talk about our defensive performance, which wasn’t good. But we had extremely good offensive actions in the first half, and in terms of chances, it was definitely not a two-goal gap at the break. We achieved something in the second half. Of course the win at Schalke gives us self-confidence. However, it must not lead to us working even one millimeter less.
I am very pleased that we were able to respond to a difficult market. Big compliment to the sports management. We got what we wanted in both positions. With Marco Thiede we have received an experienced second division player. He is an incredibly good guy and a team player who can be used without hesitation. His signing was of course very important after Matze Bader was out. With Philipp Förster it was an extraordinary constellation that we were able to sign him. The overall Darmstadt 98 package convinced him – both the game idea and the basic sporting approach to developing into a dominant team, as well as the absolutely modern work around the team. In terms of potential, he is a first division player and has already proven this. He has a lot of creativity and calmness on the ball. He can play the last pass and also be a goal threat himself. Overall, it fits our style of play very well. Now it’s up to both of them to prove themselves. Both newcomers will probably be in the squad on Saturday.
I see Isac being extremely effective in combination with the rest of our players. He gives us depth and has a very good one-on-one game. It’s obvious that he has an incredible finish. He also sacrifices himself enormously for the team and makes a lot of runs that open up space for others. Isac is the mix of a central striker and a winger, while Fraser Hornby is the mix of a central striker and a number 10. In the combination behind him with the creative players like Killian Corredor, Luca Marseiler and now Philipp Förster, Isac has guys behind him who can serve him. Overall, we have a certain facet on offense.
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:
Despite falling behind, Darmstadt secured their second consecutive home win! Darmstadt defeated Energie Cottbus 3-1 (1-1). The home side equalised after conceding an early goal in the four-minute period through Weißhaupt before halftime. Vukotic headed his team into the lead in the second half, before Lührs sealed the victory with the third goal. This home win brings Darmstadt's season total to seven points.
Homegame at Böllenfalltor (10/10, 1pm): Florian Kohfeldt has made two changes to his starting XI compared to the away match in Wolfsburg three weeks ago. Richter and Mikelbrencis come into the starting lineup for Sickinger (calf issues) and Lannert (illness).
On Saturday afternoon (October 10th, 1pm), SV 98 hosts Energie Cottbus at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor for Matchday 7. What do the two head coaches have to say ahead of kick-off? Who is officiating the match, and where can you follow the action live? As always, we have compiled all the key information regarding the game against Cottbus in our "Matchday Guide" feature.
