Nuremberg strong, but harmless
Nuremberg, who had collected 13 points from the last five games, shook themselves briefly and took the initiative. The game was controlled with a lot of ball possession. Alone: goal opportunities did not jump out for the Franks.
Heidenheim is different: The hosts, who are extremely strong, benefited in the 36th minute from a mistake in FCN’s structure: After Tim Handwerker lost the ball, things went very quickly in the Nuremberg half and Malone converted an ice-cold flat shot from 17 meters to make it 2-0. It was the first goal of the season on loan from FC Augsburg.
Heidenheim extremely strong defensively
Everyone knows that once Heidenheim is 2-0 up at home, it will be difficult for any opponent to take anything countable from East Württemberg with them. The FCN also had to recognize this as a result. The young, strong team of coach Robert Klauss tried to control the game and variable play in the second half, but literally bounced off the physically robust, experienced squad of Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt.
The FCH defended successfully and in the final phase had several opportunities to increase the result with counterattacks. Above all, goalscorer Kleindienst repeatedly came a step too late or his shots were blocked. Before the goalgetter scored 3-0 six minutes before the end. Before the FCN managed to correct the result to 3:1 by Schäffler in the 87th minute.
Both teams will play again next Saturday (April 9th, 2022): Heidenheim against Schalke, Nürnberg in their own stadium against Darmstadt.
Source: oh yes