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.
Personnel update: Luca Marseiler and Fabian Nürnberger remain sidelined. Merveille Papela, who was able to take part in some team training sessions this week, will also be unavailable on Sunday, as will Carlo Sickinger (calf issues).
I believe that over the past few weeks, we have delivered on what we set out to achieve this season: picking up points consistently—with two wins in our last three matches—while simultaneously advancing our development as a team and as individual players. In this regard, I see us on a much more stable path than we were during the first four matchdays, when the ups and downs were more pronounced and the direction of the team’s footballing development was not yet entirely clear. That has since become much more apparent. That is what I am focusing on, and it is a path we intend to continue in Karlsruhe.
We are facing a team with a very high level of individual quality. In Marcel Franke, KSC has a highly experienced central defender, and their midfield—featuring Wanitzek, Ben Ferhat, and Egloff—is exceptionally well-stocked with technical talent. Furthermore, the team has shifted its style of play compared to previous years; they now aim to be much more proactive, pressing higher up the pitch and closing down space to force turnovers. In possession, KSC is perhaps less focused on intricate, possession-based play than they were under Christian Eichner, placing a greater emphasis instead on pace, individual actions, and rapid transitions.
It is not my style to criticise players publicly. However, I did tell Vuko that this was no longer the time to pretend he hadn’t made any mistakes. I was all the more pleased that he handled it the same way himself during his post-match media interviews. We know he made a few errors—some of which were completely uncharacteristic for him. Furthermore, I find it incredibly impressive that he doesn’t fall apart after making a mistake; that is a great quality. The truth is, in every match where he has made an error, he has managed to bounce back. Above all, he has my trust. He should focus on minimising his mistakes, staying present every single minute of the match, and projecting reliability—rather than worrying about whether or not he will be in the lineup. Aleksandar Vukotic will definitely be in the starting eleven this Sunday, and, barring anything unforeseen, he will continue to be so moving forward.
That’s not an issue for us. Despite the fact that we haven’t won an away game in the 2. Bundesliga for some time, we don’t feel that we are fundamentally incapable of playing our style of football on the road. In fact, we currently view this as an extra source of motivation—something to ensure that, in the near future, we’re no longer asked about this ahead of our away matches. For that reason, we see no need to dwell on the matter excessively. This conclusion comes from discussions with our team psychologist, as well as with the players themselves.
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:
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.