A glance at the training ground shows just how convenient this unusually long winter break is for the “Lilien”: Instead of struggling through to Christmas with a reduced squad in competitive games, the long-term injured professionals can be reintegrated without haste.
After a three-week holiday, the second division leaders SV Darmstadt 98 have resumed practice.
Fabian Schnellhardt was able to complete the full program again after a partial tear of the lateral ligament in his knee, Klaus Gjasula after a muscle bundle tear and Mathias Honsak after a lengthy back injury at least partially.
Aaron Seydel is also expected to return in the coming days, Magnus Warming should be fit again in January.
In addition, they want to sign a new striker, as sporting director Carsten Wehlmann announced.
After all, you want to be prepared when it comes to promotion to the top tier of professional football from the end of January.
With only one defeat of the season so far and a seven-point lead over fourth place, the “lilies” are in pole position.
This is also due to the ten goals of the storm duo Phillip Tietz (six goals) and Braydon Manu (four goals, five assists).
But Manu is actually only a backup striker and the memory of the benefits of a well-rehearsed pair of goalscorers from last season is still fresh.
At that time, Tietz and Luca Pfeiffer, who was only on loan and moved on to VfB Stuttgart, had 24 goals together at the halfway point in the season.
At the moment there are only two options in the squad, with Swede Oscar Vilhelmsson, who is only 19 and injured a lot in the first half of the season, and Seydel, who is very prone to injury (one goal each this season), with which coach Torsten Lieberknecht can react in attack.
The contract of the two experienced regular players Tobias Kempe (33 years old) and Klaus Gjasula (32) expires next summer, but there are signs that the cooperation will continue for both of them.
"Pillars like these two are good for us, we know how important they are for the group," said Wehlmann.
Contract extensions by one year could come before Christmas, he hinted.
"We want to have planning security in good time," said the sporting director.
During last year's winter break, he had already preferred early decisions in squad planning: "Last winter we laid the foundation for not having to make many transfers in the summer," said Wehlmann.
Now, a rise in May could give planning a new starting point.
Until then, the "lilies", who have now been able to agree on a professional contract with the U-18 national player Fabio Torsello until mid-2026, want to celebrate the opening of the stadium.
The Böllenfalltor Stadium will not be quite ready for the game against Young Boys Bern on December 17th.
Nevertheless, it was a "highlight of great importance for our club," said Wehlmann.