That was it with the Bundesliga in Darmstadt: The Lilies were officially relegated on Sunday. The 98ers presented themselves well, but unfortunately lost against 1.FC Heidenheim.
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04:26 Min.
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28.04.24
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The complete Lilien-PK after the game against Heidenheim
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What has been announced for weeks is now certain: Darmstadt 98 has been confirmed as the first relegated team of this year’s Bundesliga season. The Lilies played a good game on Sunday, but unfortunately lost 0-1 (0-0) against fellow promoted team Heidenheim. In the remaining three games, the South Hesse team could no longer make up the eleven-point deficit in relegation place 16. The goal of the day was scored by Nikola Dovedan (90th).
Darmstadt again with injury concerns
As so often this season, coach Torsten Lieberknecht had to rebuild his team due to injury concerns. In addition to Klaus Gjasula, Clemens Riedel, Aaron Seydel, Marvin Mehlem, Fraser Hornby, Alexander Brunst, Braydon Manu and Fabian Holland, Matthias Bader was also added at short notice. The outside player was out with a broken nose and Emir Karic started in his place. U19 player Asaf Arania took a seat on the bench for the first time in his career.
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05:12 Min.
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28.04.24
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Highlights: Darmstadt – Heidenheim
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The constant injuries certainly played a role in the relegation, but of course it wasn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Fellow promoted team Heidenheim often showed the Lilies what else was missing this season. On this Sunday evening, the two clubs were at a similar level and often neutralized each other in midfield. Heidenheim had two good opportunities in the first 45 minutes through Patrick Manika, who headed too centrally from close range (26′) and Marvin Pieringer, whose long-range shot whizzed past the goal (37′). Darmstadt was threatened twice by Fabian Nürnberger, but both of his shots also missed the target (5th/27th).
Half chances are not enough for Darmstadt
All in all, a decent half, but not enough to maintain the mini-chance of staying in the league. Lieberknecht must have whispered something similar to his team during the break, because the South Hessians came out of the locker room with significantly more fire. Tim Skarke narrowly missed taking the lead after just 11 seconds, and Christoph Zimmermann attempted an artistic side kick at the subsequent corner.
But it was more of a flash in the pan, because Heidenheim shook himself briefly and then took control of the game. At times the guests established themselves in the Lilien half, between the 54th and 56th minutes there were four (unsuccessful) corners for FCH.
The decision comes after a counterattack
A cracker from Tim Kleindienst (58th) was more dangerous, but the shoes defused it. After this short storm and pressure phase, the game was more like the first half again. Lots of intense duels, few, but good chances. On the Lilies side, Nürnberger (66th) and Oscar Vilhelmson (75th) failed to score against Heidenheim keeper Kevin Müller.
Even a final striker offensive with Gerrit Holtmann and Mathias Honsak ultimately yielded nothing. On the contrary: Heidenheim even scored the winning goal through Dovedan on the counterattack after a mistake by Matej Maglica (90th).
Further information
Darmstadt 98 – FC Heidenheim 0:1 (0:0)
Darmstadt: Shoes – Zimmermann, Klarer, Maglica – Karic (79.Honsak), Kempe (63.Justvan), Müller, Nürnberger – Skarke, Vilhelmsson (80.Holtmann) – Pfeiffer
Heidenheim: Müller – Theuerkauf, Mainka, Gimber, Föhrenbach – Schöppner, Sessa (69.Dovedan) – Dinkci (83.Kühlwetter), Pieringer (69.Thomalla), Best – Kleindienst
Tore: 0:1 Dovedan (90.)
yellow cards: Karic, Kempe / Gimber
referee: Dankert (Rostock)
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