SV Darmstadt 98 is looking to stabilize its season following a week of team-building in San Antonio, Texas, as the club faces pressure to reverse its winless start in the 2. Bundesliga. The “Lilien” used the international break to visit their American partner club, the San Antonio FC, in a trip aimed at fostering team cohesion after a difficult opening to the campaign.
Team Integration in San Antonio
The week-long trip to Texas, which included training sessions and a friendly match, provided a change of environment for a squad that has struggled to find its rhythm. For midfielder Kai Klefisch, the excursion served as a necessary break from the intense scrutiny of the German football culture. During the trip, the team attended a college football game, an experience that Klefisch noted helped the players gain perspective on the role of sports in American culture.
While the timing of the trip during a relegation battle drew criticism from some observers, the club viewed the seven-day stay as a way to integrate a newly formed roster. The highlight of the visit was a 7-0 victory against the San Antonio FC, where six different players found the back of the net. Although the friendly result carries little weight for the league standings, the coaching staff sought to boost confidence after the team’s difficult 1-5 loss to VfL Wolfsburg in prior competition.
Search for a Turning Point
Darmstadt currently sits at the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga table, having scored only five goals in their first six league matches. Klefisch, a 26-year-old defensive midfielder, acknowledged the frustration surrounding the team’s performance. “I can understand the frustration of some fans. We are not satisfied with the season so far, simply because we are last and have sometimes played poorly,” Klefisch said.
The team is now preparing for a crucial home match against Energie Cottbus on October 10. Klefisch remains optimistic that the team’s tactical system is sound, noting, “In my eyes, we are not missing much as a team, but this final ‘click moment’ has not happened yet.”
Klefisch Provides Leadership Despite Inconsistent Midfield Pairing
As one of the team’s longest-serving players, Klefisch has taken on an increased leadership role following the roster turnover this past summer. His contributions in the defensive midfield are essential to head coach Florian Kohfeldt’s strategy. However, the midfield pairing has been inconsistent this season, largely due to the health-related absences of Hiroki Akyama. When both are available, the duo is intended to balance Akyama’s tactical vision with Klefisch’s physical defensive work.
Klefisch’s own performance has been a mix of high-energy play and costly errors. While he has provided two assists this season, he has also been involved in conceding goals and received a red card in the 0-1 loss to Dynamo Dresden. He remains focused on his responsibilities as a vocal leader on the pitch. “It is part of my job to tell the boys what is needed, to know everything about the game from the center, and to communicate a lot,” he stated.
Preparation for the League Return
The squad returned to Germany this week to resume training ahead of the October 10 match against Energie Cottbus. “I have internalized our system for a long time now. Responsibility follows from that, which I am happy to take on,” Klefisch said.
