Darmstadt 98 vs Nurnberg on January 23
On January 23, 2026, a crucial encounter in the Bundesliga 2 awaits as Darmstadt 98 hosts Nurnberg at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor. With both sides embroiled in their respective battles—Darmstadt 98 pushing for promotion and Nurnberg fighting to climb away from the lower half of the table—this match promises to be a tactical tug-of-war. The stakes are high as every point counts in a season that has already shown to be fiercely competitive. A key question will be: Who can seize control of the game, impose their style, and capitalize on the other's weaknesses?
Darmstadt 98: Tactical Approach and Current Form
At home, Darmstadt 98 has been one of the more impressive sides in the league this season. Under head coach Torsten Lieberknecht, Darmstadt has adopted a high-pressing, aggressive style of play, aiming to dominate possession in the opposition's half. Their offensive system thrives on quick transitions and fluid attacking patterns, especially when they win the ball back in high areas. With an average of 63% possession in the final third and a pass accuracy of 81%, Darmstadt controls the tempo and forces their opponents to play reactively. Their pressing intensity is evident in their 14.2 pressing actions per 90 minutes, showcasing their high defensive line and the commitment to suffocate the opposition’s build-up play.
In recent form, Darmstadt has picked up 11 points from their last five matches, with a solid 2-0 victory over Hannover 96 in their last outing. The return of their central midfielder, Tobias Kempe, has been key in stabilizing their midfield dominance. With 3 assists in the last 5 games and a tackle success rate of 85%, Kempe’s ability to disrupt play and transition defense to attack has been invaluable. However, Darmstadt’s attacking options are not solely reliant on Kempe. The partnership between their full-backs and wingers creates overloads down the flanks, with the left-wing pairing of Philipp Tietz and Luca Pfeiffer combining effectively. Tietz’s dribbling and Pfeiffer’s aerial threat could cause Nurnberg significant problems, especially given Nurnberg’s vulnerabilities in wide areas.
Yet, Darmstadt's attacking prowess will be tested by the absence of star striker, Phillip Tietz, who is nursing a knee injury. Without his focal presence in the box, Darmstadt may have to adjust their offensive play, potentially relying on more dynamic, quick interplay from the likes of Pfeiffer and Kempe.
Nurnberg: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Nurnberg has had a rollercoaster start to the season, but they have managed to find some stability under the guidance of Robert Klauß. Nurnberg’s system is based on a solid defensive foundation, often sitting in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to absorb pressure and break on the counter. Their counter-attacking style has made them difficult to break down, particularly in their last 5 games, where they’ve conceded just 5 goals in 5 matches, with a defensive record of 81% tackle success. Despite this, Nurnberg has struggled to consistently score, averaging just 1.2 goals per match over the same stretch. Their success largely depends on getting the ball to their talismanic winger, Kwadwo Duah, who has been pivotal in creating opportunities on the break.
Nurnberg’s offensive play is very direct, with long balls and vertical passes being key features of their strategy. The presence of veteran striker Erik Shuranov will be crucial in this regard, as he can hold up the ball and link play. However, Nurnberg's build-up play is often slower than Darmstadt’s, and they struggle to break down high-pressing teams, often resorting to longer passes when under pressure. With a pass accuracy of just 73% in the final third, they are susceptible to losing possession in dangerous areas, which could be exploited by Darmstadt’s pressing system.
In terms of key players, Duah’s creativity and pace are pivotal for Nurnberg's attacking transitions, but his ability to take on Darmstadt's defensive pressure will be the big challenge. With Shuranov looking to be fit for this clash, Nurnberg will rely on him to be a focal point, especially in aerial duels against Darmstadt's high defensive line. However, Nurnberg will be missing central defender Christopher Schindler due to suspension, which may leave them exposed in key aerial challenges and on set pieces.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Recent encounters between Darmstadt 98 and Nurnberg have been fiercely contested, with both teams sharing the spoils in their last 5 meetings. Nurnberg won their previous fixture in a 2-1 thriller, but Darmstadt claimed a dominant 3-0 victory in their last home meeting. Historically, Darmstadt has had the upper hand, winning 4 of the last 5 clashes, but Nurnberg has been more resilient in recent years, with a slight psychological advantage coming from their ability to play on the counter. In the last three encounters, Darmstadt’s high pressing system has caused issues for Nurnberg’s slower build-up, with Darmstadt taking advantage of turnovers in dangerous areas.
Psychologically, Darmstadt’s home advantage and current form make them slight favorites, but Nurnberg’s defensive resilience and the threat of Duah and Shuranov could cause Darmstadt significant problems if they leave space in behind. The ability of both teams to execute their respective systems under pressure will be crucial.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The most decisive duel will likely come down to Darmstadt's high pressing game against Nurnberg's ability to play out from the back. Darmstadt’s full-backs, particularly Jannik Müller on the right, will look to press Nurnberg’s left-back and force errors, especially considering Nurnberg’s tendency to play long balls when under pressure. Meanwhile, the battle in the midfield between Darmstadt’s Kempe and Nurnberg’s Tom Krauß will be pivotal, with both players playing a key role in controlling tempo and dictating possession. Kempe’s vision and work rate could overwhelm Nurnberg’s midfield if Krauß fails to impose himself.
Another key area will be in the wide spaces, with Darmstadt’s wingers—especially Pfeiffer on the left—likely to cause problems for Nurnberg’s defensive structure. The match-up between Pfeiffer and Nurnberg’s right-back, the untested Maximilian Bauer (due to Schindler’s suspension), could decide the flow of Darmstadt’s attacking moves.
Match Scenario and Prediction
The match will likely unfold with Darmstadt seeking to dominate possession and press high, forcing Nurnberg to play deep and rely on quick counter-attacks through Duah and Shuranov. Nurnberg will look to disrupt Darmstadt’s rhythm with solid defensive structure and exploit transitions with pace. However, Darmstadt’s pressing game and home advantage will likely prove decisive. Given Nurnberg’s defensive vulnerabilities and Darmstadt’s attacking fluidity, Darmstadt is expected to edge the encounter. A 2-1 victory for Darmstadt, with both teams scoring, seems the most probable outcome. Key stats like Darmstadt’s superior xG (1.85 vs 1.20 for Nurnberg) and their 10% higher possession in the final third could prove decisive.
Final Thoughts
The clash between Darmstadt 98 and Nurnberg is a fascinating tactical contest that will test both teams’ ability to execute their systems under pressure. Darmstadt’s aggressive pressing game and home advantage make them slight favorites, but Nurnberg’s counter-attacking threat cannot be ignored. Will Darmstadt’s high press overwhelm Nurnberg, or will the visitors prove their resilience on the break? This is the key question the match will answer, and it promises to be a thrilling spectacle for fans of Bundesliga 2 football.
