A meager number of points and poor statistics are no reason for Tobias Kempe to deviate from his chosen path. SV Darmstadt 98 is still in the process of getting into the Bundesliga, says the veteran.
Not quite in the Bundesliga with Darmstadt: Tobias Kempe- IMAGO/Sportfoto Rudel
When the conversation turns to the statistics that SV Darmstadt 98 has the lowest mileage in the Bundesliga, Tobias Kempe reacts with incomprehension. “We had that last season too – and we still got promoted,” says the 34-year-old midfielder. “That probably answers the question.”
With full pressing against Werder for the first three points?
Despite the poor start (one point from five games), Kempe is relaxed: “The way we performed, we always had the opportunity to score.” It is a process to arrive in the league and then you will collect the necessary points. There have already been good approaches, such as the beautifully played goal against Stuttgart or the first half against Gladbach, when the team scored three goals. “If we play our full pressing like this, we can win the ball well against any team and score our goals,” he says.
The home game against Bremen (Sunday, 3:30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), for which Kempe himself was on the ball for four seasons when he was young, is now due for their first win. “We’re so eager to get the first three points. We’ll do everything we can to achieve that and play full-throttle football,” he says, adding: “It always hurts you when you’re still without a three pointer. But that’s changing on Sunday.”
I know the team needs me. And when she needs me, I’m there.
Kempe, who was the leading player in previous years, has only made one starting eleven appearance this season – in the 3-3 draw against Gladbach. The reason: Shortly before the start of the season he injured his thigh, had to fight back and usually came as a joker. No problem for Kempe, he is in very good communication with coach Torsten Lieberknecht: “I know that the team needs me. And when they need me, I’m there. If he sends me onto the pitch, I’ll be 100 percent for it Club and this team give.”
Comparisons to 2015? – “A completely different time”
After captain Fabian Holland, Kempe is the longest-serving player at the Lilies and was there when they were last promoted to the Bundesliga eight years ago. Back then, the team got six points from the first four games and only lost to Bayern Munich on matchday 5. It’s difficult to draw comparisons to back then, says Kempe; it was a completely different time. “From my point of view, football as a whole has become much faster. The athleticism has completely changed,” he says. Of course, the current team has less Bundesliga experience than back then. “But it’s also about developing the young players. I try to give them something. Basically, we just have to get back to winning our games.”
No going back to the Schuster football of 2015
But Kempe doesn’t want to go back to the very defensive, sometimes destructive football that the then coach Dirk Schuster played successfully in the Bundesliga. “Sure, back then the team was geared towards this type of football,” he says. “But why should we now abandon the way we have played successfully in recent years? We won’t deviate from that because we have really good footballers in the team. We have what it takes. Each of us has to do that too believe in it. I’m not worried that we won’t get our points.”
2023-09-28 14:26:03
#Darmstadts #Kempe #answers #question
