A top match at the sold-out Böllenfalltor – coach Torsten Lieberknecht is full of anticipation for the match of SV Darmstadt 98 against leaders FC St. Pauli. In terms of personnel, he can almost draw from a full complement of players.
At the beginning of the season, SV Darmstadt 98 was short-staffed due to injuries and coronas. Lieberknecht now has almost the entire squad available for the top match against FC St. Pauli at the sold-out Böllenfalltor – at least in training. Only midfielder Fabian Schnellhardt will be out for a longer period of time due to his torn muscle bundle in his calf.
The best news the Lilien coach could announce on Thursday was that Tim Skarke is now training with the team again and is also on the pitch for training matches. The 25-year-old winger has yet to play a game this season due to adductor surgery. However, it will be some time before he is an option for the squad again, Lieberknecht said.
A lot of confidence in Sobiech
Centre-back Lasse Sobiech, who has not played a game for the Lilies since the end of September due to muscular problems, has also returned to training since Thursday. However, he will probably not be able to play against his former club St. Pauli, for whom he played 134 games, even though Lieberknecht left a loophole open when nominating the squad.
The coach spoke of an “unbelievably good relationship of trust” with the 30-year-old, who sees the situation very reflectively and is also well aware of the strong performances of the two current centre-backs Patric Pfeiffer and Thomas Isherwood.
More hardship cases looming
When Sobiech is physically and mentally ready again, they will think about possible changes if necessary. “It’s an incredible board to know that you have a Lasse Sobiech, a Jannik Müller or a Clemens Riedel “, said the coach, referring to the many options in central defence. That will pay off in the long run.
However, Lieberknecht also held out the prospect of more cases of hardship in view of the squad nominations. Most recently, the experienced Jannik Müller did not make it into the top 20.
“Everything as before” – No squinting at the top of the table
The personnel policy should also pay off. Just this week, the club announced the early and long-term contract extensions with the two wing-backs Fabian Holland and Matthias Bader. “My wish is continuity,” said Lieberknecht.
Now, however, he is looking forward to the game against a “strong opponent “ without looking at the table, where in the best case scenario even a leap to the top is possible. “We’ll do everything the same as before,” he said. “Joy, fun, the next top-class team, a sell-out crowd, great atmosphere – and get three points as best as possible.
