After painful weeks with problems on and off the pitch, SV Darmstadt 98 has proven its suitability for the Bundesliga. Now highlight games await.
It was just two weeks ago when SV Darmstadt 98 was still talking about perseverance. After just one point from five games, the Lilies found themselves in a relegation zone with 1. FSV Mainz 05, who had the same number of points, and were looking for themselves and their Bundesliga form.
Veteran Tobias Kempe spoke of one ongoing process and admitted that the poor results were taking a toll on the team. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht has already blamed himself legendary club vacation rage speech first of all to the referees. The Lilies wobbled dangerously after their crash landing in the Bundesliga.
Darmstadt 98 has arrived in the league
Two games later, however, the world in southern Hesse suddenly looks completely different. The process mentioned by Kempe and then boosted with two of his own goals appears to be complete for the time being. Coach Lieberknecht’s team, who apparently chose exactly the right words after his exaggerated external criticism, at least internally, has arrived in the league and the season. “We have grown up,” said captain Fabian Holland after the game 2-1 win in Augsburg matching together.
And so the lilies that look after the 1:3 defeat at VfB Stuttgart still felt like uninvited guests, enjoying the international break in the middle of the table in the company of highly decorated Bundesliga regulars. As eleventh in the table, they are currently ahead of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Champions League participants Union Berlin and Werder Bremen. An environment that Darmstadt 98 could probably get used to. “We have found ourselves as a team and will continue on our path,” emphasized new signing Andreas Müller on Tuesday. “We can have a good season.”
Lilies change their game
But what exactly happened? In contrast to the first games of the season – with the exception of the first half against Gladbach – the lilies dared to do so 4:2 win against Bremen and finally more with the success in Augsburg. Against Werder, the South Hesse team, who had previously often acted a bit too well-behaved and reserved, completely dominated the game for more than an hour. In Augsburg they managed almost two thirds of the ball, especially in the first 45 minutes. “Embarrassing,” said former FCA captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw from Augsburg’s perspective. “That’s the only way it works,” Kempe attested from Darmstadt’s perspective.
The amazing thing about the newcomer’s performances so far: As soon as the Lilies took the initiative themselves and looked for salvation on the offensive, the chances of something countable increased. Games in which the Darmstadt team initially concentrated on defense ended in failure. To prove it: Twelve own goals in seven games is a very decent result. In contrast, 19 goals conceded are also the worst value in the league.
“We’re already scoring a lot of goals. Now we’re aiming to keep a clean sheet,” said Müller, who made his Bundesliga debut in Augsburg, outlining his team’s strengths and weaknesses. Dangerous at the front, vulnerable at the back. In Darmstadt we actually know it the other way around.
Now it’s against Leipzig and Bayern
However, it remains to be seen to what extent the Lilies can cause trouble for the next two opponents with their new style of play. The next opponent in the home stadium at Böllenfalltor is RB Leipzig (September 21st, 3:30 p.m.), after which it goes to subscription champions Bayern Munich. “We are aware that these are completely different calibers,” said Müller.
However, given the changes in the recent past, there is no question that the Lilies, who make a very solid impression, can be confident against the two top teams. Who would have thought that two weeks ago?
