In the second half of last season, the "lilies" played strongly.
And so it is probably a common fan reflex to get lost in dark thoughts when important heads of a functioning team disembark.
Sports director Carsten Wehlmann was allowed to listen to a few things from the supporters when, in addition to Serdar Dursun (free transfer to Fenerbahce Istanbul), Victor Palsson (for 750,000 euros to Schalke) left Darmstadt 98 and little well-known newcomers came.
Then there was the corona outbreak, which ruined the SVD's start to the season in the second Bundesliga and in the cup.
Klaus Gjasula's commitment then acted like a trend reversal.
The midfielder, who was sidelined at Hamburger SV, is one whom the South Hesse needed due to his authority and duel strength.
Since Gjasula's arrival, the Darmstadt team have scored seven points in three games, scored twelve goals and only conceded three.
The Albanian Gjasula seems to be able to close the gap left by the Icelander Palsson.
Up front, the attackers Philip Tietz (1.90 meters) and Luca Pfeiffer (1.96) make common cause. Instead of a storm edge like Dursun (1.90), the "lilies" now have two in action. And their self-confidence is already great thanks to eight hits together. The team benefits “from the robustness” of the two attackers, says Benjamin Goller. The new strength should be felt on this Sunday (1.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the 2nd Bundesliga and on Sky) away from promoted Hansa Rostock.
"It will definitely be a hot game because they play very aggressively and have loud fans in the stadium," says winger Goller, who is also new at Böllenfalltor, on loan from Werder Bremen. The former U-20 national player brings a lot of speed into the game, but was unable to put himself in the limelight as a preparer or shooter during the flood of hits in Darmstadt in recent weeks. Now only five second division games have been played, but Darmstadt are on top again.