In the career of a player, coach or in the life of a fan, there are events that cause a slightly increased heart rate days beforehand, make sleep a little easier and nerves seem a little thinner. But it is precisely these events that make everyone love football. “It will be a weekend of football with many decisions. There is a feeling that extraordinary things can happen. Anything is possible,” said coach Torsten Lieberknecht, looking ahead to Lilien’s game against Paderborn on Sunday (3:30 p.m.).
“We can come out of the weekend as real big winners,” added the coach. “The tension is increasing day by day.” Because: In order to still get into the relegation, the fourth in the table has to get more points than Hamburger SV at the same time at Hansa Rostock on the 34th matchday. In order to be promoted directly, the lilies even need a win – HSV must not win at the same time and Werder Bremen would have to lose against Jahn Regensburg.
pressure from the competition
Even before last weekend, the starting position for the lilies was far less complicated – and much better. But then the Lieberknecht team lost in Düsseldorf. But his team didn’t just lose the advantage. “The teams that everyone expected before the season have it now have it. Now the boys there should feel that they can achieve something big, but also lose something,” said the coach. “We are still there – perhaps unfortunately for many – as a burr at the top.”
The coach’s confidence is shared by goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen. “The feeling of being able to win something is definitely greater than the fear of losing something,” said Schuhen. The Lilien have to do without the suspended defensive midfielder Klaus Gjusula (yellow-red) against Paderborn, who are strong on the road. There is a question mark over the use of defender Patric Pfeiffer. “He injured himself while straddling in training,” said Lieberknecht, who only wants to focus on his team’s game.
No intermediates
“We want to stay with ourselves. We won’t keep ourselves informed all the time.” However, should it become necessary to react due to the scores in Bremen and Rostock, he would do it to “push something and make a difference.” Should it actually work out in the end with promotion to the Bundesliga, Lieberknecht has promised his players something. “There will be no farewells on Sunday. If we create the sensation, every player will be taken to the premier league. If the player wants to follow this path with us.” And then there could be more of these very special events for fans, officials and players of Darmstadt 98.
Source: HR