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.
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.