Bundesliga - Darmstadt takes on 1 FC Köln in "nine-point game"
Ahead of the eminently important match against 1. FC Köln, Torsten Lieberknecht is not practising understatement as coach of SV Darmstadt 98. On Friday evening (20:30/DAZN), the promoted team will host the team bottom of the table in the relegation battle in the Bundesliga. "Many are talking about a six-point game. I would even say it's a nine-point game if the matchday goes perfectly," said Lieberknecht on Thursday.
With a win, the Lilies could extend the gap to Cologne to six points and take their time to see what the other two teams in the basement, Union Berlin (at FC Bayern) and FSV Mainz 05 (against SC Freiburg), can do this weekend.
"The fans can look forward to an intense game in which things will get heated on the pitch," promised Lieberknecht. However, Darmstadt have never won in their six Friday night games in the top flight in their history. In the 2015/2016 season under coach Dirk Schuster, they drew 0-0 - against Cologne.
It is the clash between the weakest defense in the league - the South Hessians have already conceded 33 goals - and the weakest offense (nine goals from Cologne). However, the South Hessians have only conceded three goals in their last three games. Ex-Cologne player Matthias Bader explained this week: "We're generally a bit calmer. We didn't want to start so blatantly high and defend completely one-on-one."
There will be changes to the Lilies' backline either way: regular keeper Marcel Schuhen returns and will replace Alexander Brunst, who impressed in the 1-1 draw in Freiburg. "Schuhen has trained fully this week and will be back in goal," said Lieberknecht. Christoph Klarer will also return after serving his yellow card suspension. However, Christoph Zimmermann will miss out after suffering a nasty laceration in Freiburg. He will "need some time to fully recover", said Lieberknecht.
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- Despite their history of no wins in Friday night games in the Bundesliga, Darmstadt is looking forward to their match against 1. FC Köln, where they could extend their gap to six points if they win.
- Union Berlin, currently in the basement of the Bundesliga, will face FC Bayern in another important match this weekend, adding another layer to the relegation battle.
- The match between Darmstadt and Cologne is being dubbed a "nine-point game" by coach Torsten Lieberknecht, underlining its importance for both teams.
- Cologne, with just nine goals scored this season, is set to face the team with the weakest defense in the league, SV Darmstadt 98, who have conceded 33 goals so far.
- FSV Mainz 05, another team in the relegation zone, will go up against SC Freiburg, adding another thrilling encounter to the Bundesliga schedule this weekend.
- Lieberknecht has confirmed changes in the SV Darmstadt 98 backline, with regular keeper Marcel Schuhen returning from injury and Christoph Klarer returning from suspension.
- However, Darmstadt will be missing Christoph Zimmermann, who sustained a laceration in their last game against Freiburg and will need time to recover.
- Bundesliga fans in Germany will be treated to multiple crucial matches this weekend, including the clash between Darmstadt and Cologne, as the race to avoid relegation heats up.
Source: www.stern.de
