Darmstadt takes on 1 FC Köln in the "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.
Despite facing 1. FC Köln in a crucial "nine-point game" for Darmstadt's Bundesliga survival, coach Torsten Lieberknecht remains optimistic. With a victory, SV Darmstadt 98 could boost their gap to Cologne, a feat not achieved in their six past Friday night Bundesliga matches, including a 0-0 draw against Cologne in the 2015/2016 season under Dirk Schuster.
Source: www.dpa.com
