Darmstadt 98 Hopeful for Positive Turnaround Against Schalke 04
Despite Darmstadt 98’s prolonged losing streak, coach Florian Kohfeldt remains optimistic ahead of their upcoming Zweitliga clash with FC Schalke 04.
Renewed Belief and Confidence
"We are optimistic because we have multiple factors working in our favor that strongly suggest we can turn things around," Kohfeldt declared before the Sunday match (1:30 PM CET/Sky). "The overall mood within the team is positive, and we’re determined to end this skid as soon as possible."
Urgency to Reverse Poor Form
After a dismal run of six consecutive winless games, five of which ended in defeat, Darmstadt’s cushion above the relegation playoff position has dwindled to just five points. A reversal of fortune is now paramount.
"We’ve failed to win too many matches, and we haven’t picked up enough points," Kohfeldt acknowledged. "We need to put an end to this phase swiftly, and there’s no better opportunity than to do so on Sunday in a traditional rivalry match."
Persistent Selection Woes
However, the 42-year-old coach continues to face significant selection headaches. Eight players remain sidelined through injury. On the brighter side, Fraser Hornby, Sergio Lopez, and Oscar Vilhelmsson all returned to team training this week.
Focus on Mental Fortitude and Tactical Structure
Irrespective of the available squad, Kohfeldt emphasized the importance of mental strength and tactical discipline against Schalke. "We need to remain mentally stable and execute both defensively and offensively with great precision," he stated.
No Loss of Belief
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Kohfeldt remains unperturbed. "I don’t see anyone in the dressing room who doubts our abilities. On the contrary, there’s still a strong sense of self-belief and clarity," the Darmstadt manager affirmed.
Additional Analysis
Darmstadt’s ongoing woes can be attributed to a combination of factors. Injuries have undoubtedly taken a toll, with key players like Aaron Seydel, Dario Dumic, and Mathias Honsak unavailable for extended periods.
Furthermore, the team’s attacking output has been severely curtailed, with just two goals scored in their last six matches. Moreover, they have conceded an alarming 11 goals during that same span, highlighting defensive frailties.
Kohfeldt’s task is to address these issues and quickly instil a winning mentality into his squad. The upcoming match against Schalke presents a timely opportunity to halt the slide and restore some much-needed confidence.
Conclusion
Darmstadt 98’s hopes of avoiding relegation rest on their ability to break their losing streak and return to winning ways. Coach Florian Kohfeldt is confident that his team possesses the necessary attributes to turn things around, but they will need to demonstrate both mental resilience and tactical sharpness to overcome the challenge posed by FC Schalke 04.
