SV Darmstadt enjoyed a successful return to the Bundesliga as they beat pre-season expectations by comfortably avoiding relegation and securing their participation in the next campaign. Having gained promotion to the top flight of German football for the first time in more than three decades, Darmstadt kicked the season off as favorites for the drop but the newly promoted side got off to a brilliant start, losing just twice in their opening eight games and registering excellent victories over Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen and Augsburg. Darmstadt quickly gained the reputation as a physical team that was hard to beat at the back and dangerous from dead ball situations, with the club scoring half of their goals from set pieces. Schuster had strengthened his side in the summer and, while two of their new signings in Peter Niemeyer and Luca Caldirola were winning the plaudits from some excellent defensive plays, it was Sandro Wagner who was proving to be key for Darmstadt's hopes of survival as the striker shrugged off a pre-season injury and top scored with 14 goals and also chipping in with four assists. Darmstadt started to lose their way as the season wore on but, though they could only manage to win once in their next eight games, Dirk Schuster's side headed into the break sitting in a comfortable position in the league table. Though they resumed their league campaign by beating Hannover 96, and followed it up with another excellent win at Hoffenheim, Darmstadt continued to struggle for victories as they went on an eight-match winless streak in February and March. The dip in form had seen Darmstadt slip uncomfortably close to the relegation zone but the players came good when it mattered the most as they racked up impressive victories against Hamburger SV, Ingolstadt and Hertha Berlin to ensure that they would be heading into the final day of the season having already secured their survival. Darmstadt were clearly one of the biggest surprise packages this season but the hard work starts now for Schuster as he looks to build on the successful season. A goal-scoring backup for Wagner will be crucial for their hopes next season and the Darmstadt coach may yet lose his top scorer with teams in England reportedly interested in signing the striker. With Christian Mathenia having already completed a move to Hamburg as soon as the season ended while Caldirola returning back to Werder Bremen at the completion of his loan spell, Schuster faces a major rebuilding job in the summer if they are to extend their stay in the Bundesliga for a third season
