The derby pick-me-up is followed by a setback at Union Berlin: Darmstadt 98 loses the next direct duel in the bottom of the table and is in acute danger of relegation. The big problem is the harmless offensive.
The late equalizer in the derby against Eintracht Frankfurt (2:2) helped Darmstadt 98 get through the last week of training. The atmosphere was excellent, the belief in one’s own strength and staying in the league was greater than ever before. Anyone who can catch up with two goals against their big Hessian neighbors can really catch up on the few points in the bottom of the table, that’s the feeling. “We wanted to use this momentum,” said Lilien coach Torsten Lieberknecht on Sunday.
Alone: This plan worked the 0-1 defeat at Union Berlin not up at all. The South Hessians also gave their all in the basement duel at the Alte Försterei and were quite stable on defense. Overall, however, there was no sign of the supposed self-confidence boost. “The desire to take the power from the Frankfurt game was just wishful thinking,” summarized Lieberknecht contritely. Confidence in one’s own strength disappeared as quickly as it came.
The offensive is far too harmless
The Lilies, who had suddenly unleashed a lot of pressure in the final phase against Eintracht and proved that they can do more than fight, scratch and bite, were disappointing across the board in terms of football against the Iron Men. They combined well once or twice into the penalty area. After that, it was almost always the final stage, and there was never a top-class scoring opportunity for Darmstadt. “We played too hesitantly when we were able to finish. We often thought too complicated things in many actions and were too pomaded”criticized Lieberknecht.
Goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen, who had to watch the desperate and unimaginative running of the people in front of him from behind, also took the same line after the final whistle. “We’re giving it our all, no one can blame us for that. But we didn’t have a compelling chance to score, it was just not enough.” Always trying, but never dangerous. A combination that will not be enough to achieve the main goal of staying in the league. The offensive, which has improved in quality thanks to new signing Julian Justvan, is often simply too harmless.
Mehlem will soon be an option again
Now, thanks to returnee Marvin Mehlem, who was back in the squad in Berlin for the first time since breaking his fibula, Justvan and Bochum loanee Gerrit Holtmann, there is a slight hope of improvement.
In view of the upcoming tasks against league leaders Leverkusen, Gladbach and Stuttgart, the Lilies have to come up with something better today than tomorrow in the game. The tasks definitely won’t get any easier. Time is running out.
The distance to the saving shore is growing
A look at the table shows how bitter the defeat in Berlin was. With a win, the Lilies could have jumped past Union and out of the relegation zone. They are still bottom of the table with eleven meager points. The gap to 15th place and Union, which still has a catch-up game in hand, has grown to six points.
The fact that the direct duels against other basement children such as Cologne and Bochum as well as Union twice were all lost and only one point was won against Mainz further exacerbates the situation. Who do the Lilies want to score points against?
“It is unfortunate and disappointing that we are going home without any points,” summarized Lieberknecht, who wants to remain positive. “It’s not a day to give up.” Given that there are still 15 games left to play, that would definitely be premature, but real optimism sounds different. The faith that was so strong last week seems to be crumbling.
