Sander: “We’re not really used to back-to-back games like that.”

Win, loss, tie—Second Division soccer club 1. FC Magdeburg wrapped up its busy week with mixed results. A triumphant 6-1 win over Karlsruhe SC was followed by an expected elimination from the DFB Cup at the hands of FC Bayern (1-6) and a frustrating 1-1 draw on Saturday against SV Darmstadt 98, which had been at the bottom of the table. 

Nevertheless, a record is within reach for Magdeburg as early as the next matchday: A win against FC St. Pauli would see Magdeburg head into the international break with 20 points—the best mid-season tally after 11 matchdays in their second-division history.

First, however, Magdeburg had to come to terms with the draw in Darmstadt. “We don’t want to hide behind the absence of striker Mateusz Zukowski (bruised shoulder),” FCM coach Petrik Sander had announced before the match. In the game, however, his absence was clearly felt. Substitute Roko Simic didn’t pose the same goal-scoring threat against Darmstadt and was also unable to create openings for his teammates as frequently as the Polish national team striker regularly does. 

FCM hasn’t quite managed the transition back to league routine

As a result, Magdeburg failed to build on its early lead and, after a lackluster performance, had to settle for a 1-1 draw. “It wasn’t easy to make the switch from Munich—from high-class soccer—to Darmstadt, without meaning to be disrespectful,” said Sander, adding, “We’re not used to the physical strain of a midweek game like this.”

With 17 points from ten games, his team is in fifth place, has matched the club record from the 2024–2025 season, and—more importantly—has collected ten more points than at the same point in last season’s disastrous campaign. 

Magdeburg Hopes for Zukowski’s Return

Zukowski is expected to play again against FC St. Pauli—at least that’s what Sander hopes: “There’s no structural damage to his shoulder. He’ll be back in training—though he won’t be doing pull-ups next week.” Against the Hamburg team, Magdeburg also aims to extend its home winning streak, which currently stands at four games.

“We’re kind of treading water in the standings,” said Magdeburg’s goal-scorer Tobias Müller in Darmstadt, “but we hope to keep the three points in Magdeburg against St. Pauli.” If they succeed, the FCM could head into the international break in a promotion spot. But even now, they’re happy with how the season is going in Magdeburg. “We look at the standings, we look at our point total compared to last year—that says it all,” said Sander.