Football Season Guide

SV Darmstadt 98

In


Karol Niemczycki (gk) Fortuna Dusseldorf; Merveille Papela (mid) FSV Mainz; Luca Marseiler (mid) Viktoria Koln; Sergio Lopez (def) FC Basel; Paul Will (mid) Dynamo Dresden; Fynn Lakenmacher (att) 1860 Munich; Matej Maglica (def) VfB Stuttgart; Kai Klefisch (mid) SC Paderborn; Aleksander Vukotic (def) Wehen Wiesbaden; Filip Stojilkovic (att) FC Kaiserslautern - end of loan;

Out


Christoph Klarer (def) (r) Birmingham City; Mathias Honsak (att) (sp) FC Heidenheim; Emir Karic (mid) (sp) Sturm Graz; Morten Behrens (gk) Preußen Münster; John Peter Sesay (mid) SK Bischofshofen; Braydon Manu (mid) (sp) released; Fabian Schnellhardt (mid) (sp) released; Jannik Muller (def) (sp) released; Aaron Seydel (att) (sp) released; Thomas Isherwood (def) (sp) released; Klaus Gjasula (mid) (sp) released; Henry-Jon Crosthwaite (att) BFC Dynamo; Tim Skarke (mid) (k) Union Berlin - end of loan; Bartol Franjic (mid) (sp) VfL Wolfsburg - end of loan; Julian Justvan (mid) (r) TSG Hoffenheim - end of loan; Luca Pfeiffer (att) (sp) VfB Stuttgart - end of loan; Gerrit Holtmann (mid) (sp) VfL Bochum - end of loan; Sebastian Polter (att) (sp) - end of loan;

Darmstadt lasted just one season in the top-flight, finishing rock-bottom and conceding a whopping 86 goals in 34 matches. The Lilies were largely out of their depth over the course of the campaign, but coach Torsten Lieberknecht was often unable to field his best side due to injuries and suspensions. The club still trusts in Lieberknecht to work his magic again, having previously got the club promoted. His first task was to trim down an over-inflated squad, after many of last season’s signings failed to live up to expectations. Klarer was arguably the best of a bad bunch in defence last season, but he has left for Birmingham. Despite the many outgoings, Darmstadt have also been busy bringing in new faces to freshen the place up. Kai Klefisch from Paderborn will bring energy to the midfield, while big Serbian defender Vukotic should help to make the defence stronger. Sergio Lopez is another exciting player with his speed and versatility in the wing-back positions. Attacking midfielder Marseiler also makes the step up from the third-tier with Viktoria Koln after 13 goals and 9 assists last season. The Lilies could be a match for anyone, especially if they can keep hold of key player Marvin Mehlem, other clubs may be looking to require his services, but potential suitors could be put off by his history of injury problems.

Target


The fans will need a lift after the torment of the previous season but they may have to be patient after a big overhaul of the squad. The competition has also gotten a lot tougher since they were last here, but a promotion push can’t be ruled out if they start clicking.