Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht doesn’t expect much chance for the away game at VfB Stuttgart. But there could also be a tactic in the words of praise for the Swabians.
The starting position for the Lilies is anything but encouraging: Darmstadt is in second-to-last place with one point Bundesliga table. Thanks to the 13 goals they conceded, they currently have the weakest defense in the league. On Friday evening (8:30 p.m.) South Hesse will travel to VfB Stuttgart, who in turn have the best offense in the league with 14 goals.
Looking at these numbers, Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht, who otherwise doesn’t care much about statistics, has to admit: “Actually, we have no chance. Things are going like hot cakes at Stuttgart at the moment.” Serhou Guirassy played a big part in the Swabians’ good run. The striker has already scored eight goals in the first four games for VfB. Best value in the league and more than the entire Darmstadt team.
Deep-stacking as a move?
Lieberknecht is also clear that on Friday evening it will be about stopping Guirassy in the best possible way. “We’ll try,” said the Lilien coach with a grin on his lips that says something like: It’s going to be extremely difficult. “We have to try to fight the feeders so that he doesn’t get into any finishing positions,” is Lieberknecht’s approach.
Self-confidence sounds different. And the notes that Lieberknecht had struck before the last game against Gladbach also sounded different. A week ago, words like “athletic aggressiveness” and that you “finally have to give up respect” were used. Little to nothing was heard about this at the press conference on Thursday. On the contrary: Lieberknecht piled deep. Very deep. Almost so noticeably deep that it sounded like a consciously chosen move. According to the motto: If you stack deep, you can only win.
Half a dozen are out against VfB
This already demanding task is likely to be made more difficult by the Darmstadt defense currently resembles a major construction site. Due to injuries, Lieberknecht has had to change his defense many times during the season. And will have to do it again: Matej Maglica is suspended from the Gladbach game against VfB because of his red cardChristoph Zimmermann is still out due to back problems.
Braydon Manu (tonsils), Fraser Hornby (thigh), Oscar Vilhelmsson and Fabian Nürnberger (both infections) are also unlikely to be available. As long as the injury list is, Lieberknecht has so few options. At least: Matthias Bader is fit again after his adductor problems.
