On Sunday (October 19th/1.30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 hosts 1.FC Magdeburg. We've summarised the most important information from the pre-match press conference for you.
Personnel update: Fabian Nürnberger is out. Kai Klefisch has joined his individual football-specific training session. All others are available.
We’ve obviously been following Magdeburg over the past few weeks—that’s part of it, because we obviously want to prepare the team. But even without the coaching change, I would have said that this isn’t a normal bottom-of-the-table team. This is a team that has shown many extremes this season. (Former coach) Markus Fiedler has been incredibly unlucky. They haven’t scored a goal in their last four games, but they have an expected goals ratio of over 6—that’s insane. It’s actually unacceptable not to score a goal there.
We don’t really know what to expect. The advantage we have is that we know what we want and what we’re capable of. It’s a home game. We have great respect for Magdeburg because the individual quality in their squad remains high. They were fighting for promotion to the Bundesliga right up until the final matchday last season. But we want to try to play to our own strengths – because there’s no other sensible approach. I’ll know how the new coach wants to play on Sunday. That’s why the focus is all the more on us.
Individual preparation has increased significantly in general—and especially the willingness to do so. This has significant added value. We prepare all our players individually for their opponents and game situations. I think this is now part of a well-rounded professional’s overall picture. It doesn’t automatically mean you’ll score goals. But I do believe you increase the probability by a small percentage. It’s a very labour-intensive topic that often goes unnoticed.
It would be cool if Lilien players were at the 2026 World Cup. That would definitely make us look at things differently. That’s great for the guys, but it won’t get them a better percentage. I expect the same performance, even if they’re not competing for a World Cup. But it’s certainly something very special in a footballer’s life. That’s why I would be happy for Djanga if he were given the opportunity again in the autumn of his career. I would be just as happy for Isac.
Magdeburg is a team of extremes. We, on the other hand, are a team that doesn’t have a significant downward trend in the statistics and is in the top third in one or two areas. You won’t find a team in the league that dominates 34 games in its own way. Therefore, our idea was to cover all facets. Against Dresden, it was all about attacking them high and forcing turnovers. Against Düsseldorf, we had to play against an opponent, which we managed. All facets are extremely important because the games will pose different challenges for us. We’ll see on Sunday what Magdeburg will pose for us.
To be on the executive board for 29 years is to be highly recognised. Wolfang is very warm-hearted and very funny. Last year at the winter training camp we had a very nice morning where he took part in a team competition. I wish him all the best! Of course, I had a lot more contact with Rüdiger on a daily basis; after all, he was my boss. We spoke on the phone every evening. I will miss the phone calls with him. The conversations often turned into very interesting ones—and not just about football. He is someone who radiates a lot of calm and is very decisive. Thank you for the almost 13 months we had together. It was a very formative era for the club.
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: