Darmstadt faces off against Bochum.
In the upcoming 2025/26 season, SV Darmstadt 98, a second-division football team, is gearing up for a challenging campaign under the guidance of coach Florian Kohfeldt. The focus is on building long-term progress, consistency, and stability rather than an immediate return to the top league.
Kohfeldt, who has had the opportunity to plan summer preparations for the first time in his second year at Böllenfalltor stadium, emphasizes a strategic, sustainable project aimed at developing the club over time. The club's target is a mid-table finish (positions 8th to 12th in the 2. Bundesliga).
To achieve this goal, the club has strengthened its squad depth through smart recruitment. The team will rely on the strike partnership of Fraser Hornby and Isac Lidberg, who were highly productive last season, contributing 26 league goals combined.
The key elements of this plan include a focus on long-term development instead of quick promotion, building a strong and deep squad, relying on the strike partnership of Hornby and Lidberg, preparing for a challenging season in a competitive 2. Bundesliga environment, and establishing solidity in the second tier to push for higher ambitions in the future.
The season opens with a home game against VfL Bochum this Saturday at 13:00 CET, followed by an away game to Nürnberg. This campaign is expected to be tough but foundational for the club's future success.
Coach Kohfeldt's planning for the season includes addressing the team's need for more consistency. Both Kohfeldt and Sporting Director Paul Fernie share a desire for stability to reduce fluctuations in points. However, Fernie expresses concerns about the impact of personnel changes on the team's performance, emphasizing the need for stability.
The club has been cautious about setting a season goal, with Kohfeldt preferring to wait until the transfer deadline on September 1. An unnamed source's statement, "Still many variables", further supports this concern, highlighting the impact of personnel changes on the team's performance.
The upcoming match against Bochum will be broadcast on Sky, marking the start of an exciting and promising season for SV Darmstadt 98. The club's approach under Kohfeldt is a patient, measured one: prioritizing team consistency, tactical solidity, and sustainable growth over immediate promotion, with the overarching goal of setting the club up for long-term success and stability in the league.
The club, SV Darmstadt 98, aims to establish a strong presence in European leagues by focusing on long-term development and sustained growth, with an ultimate ambition to compete in top-tier football leagues. To achieve this objective, they have reinforced their squad depth, relying on the strike partnership of Fraser Hornby and Isac Lidberg, who demonstrated their productivity in the previous season.
