VfB stays in the top group: Stuttgart steals three points from Heidenheim

1. FC Heidenheim shows an improvement in performance against VfB Stuttgart, but is left without a point. VfB is knocking on the top again.

1. FC Heidenheim lost the Bundesliga game against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday (December 15, 2024) 1:3 (1:2). National player Maximilian Mittelstädt gave VfB the lead (20th minute). Paul Wanner equalized for FCH (41′), which Enzo Millot countered shortly before the half-time whistle (45’+2). Nick Woltemade marked the final point with a penalty kick (85th).

“It was what you could expect: an emotional football game, lots of interruptions, lots of fouls,” said FCH coach Frank Schmidt in the Sportschau interview. “What shouldn’t happen is that we fall behind again shortly before half-time.”

VfB match winner Woltemade assessed the encounter similarly. “It was a very intense game. We knew that it would be tough and a duel. We were well prepared and solved it well. We had a lot of chances and therefore leave the pitch as deserved winners,” said the attacker.

Dorsch has the first degree

Both teams were in action in the European Cup during the week. While the FCH in the Conference League at 1:3 at Basaksehir had disappointed, VfB defeated Young Boys Bern 5-1 in the Champions League. VfB started with a lot of control in front of 15,000 spectators in the sold-out Heidenheim Arena. The first shot belonged to FCH: Niklas Dorsch’s 20-meter shot was blocked by Anthony Rouault (5th).

Dorsch was also involved in the next dangerous action. The 26-year-old brought the ball into the center after a nice combination, where Wanner was decisively disrupted by Angelo Stiller at the last moment. Two minutes later, VfB recorded its first goal. Josha Vagnoman moved in from the right side and finished from 16 meters – no problem for FCH keeper Kevin Müller.

Wanner scores for Heidenheim, Millot counters with a header

The hard-fought game was even, but VfB struck ice cold. Nick Woltemade picked up a pass from Mittelstädt on the left side and served the left-back, who had started, perfectly, who slotted into the far corner in front of Müller. The Heidenheimers responded with venomous duels, but often came a step too late. After a foul by Dorsch on Enzo Millot, Chris Führich grabbed the ball and flicked it to the left outside post from almost 25 meters (33′).

Almost five minutes before the break, Heidenheim came back into the game out of nowhere. Jan Schöppner stole the ball from Millot in the build-up game. The rebound landed at Wanner, who fired powerfully from 23 meters. VfB keeper Alexander Nübel was in the corner, but the ball slipped over his hand and into the goal.

It was the start of a turbulent final phase of the first half, as VfB showed a strong reaction. First, Müller saved with a great reflex against Millot, but Vagnoman didn’t get the follow-up shot on goal in the time available (45′). The following corner was headed just past the far post by Jeff Chabot. In stoppage time, VfB rewarded itself for its mini-pressure phase. Millot headed in a precise cross from Vagnoman from seven meters.

Merchant directly in the game

FCH coach Frank Schmidt reacted at the break and brought in an additional tip with Mikkel Kaufmann. The Dane already showed his worth in the 49th minute when he powered through after a header from strike partner Marvin Pieringer and was only prevented from finishing at the last moment. Otherwise, VfB now had things under control. Two minutes later, Millot was denied by Müller after strong preparatory work from Woltemade.

The Stuttgart team now besieged the hosts’ penalty area without being able to extend their lead. At the other end, Mathias Honsak volleyed a long ball, but the shot bounced off the ground over the VfB goal (58′). Two minutes later, Kaufmann served Pieringer, whose shot was blocked by Chabot. On the other hand, the agile Führich moved into the middle and shot, but only hit his teammate Woltemade on the hip (62nd).

Absolutely outstanding against Honsak

FCH was now well into the game. Schöppner fed Honsak on the left, whose sharp cross narrowly missed Kaufmann at the far post (70′). Four minutes later, a corner slipped out of Nübel’s hands and Gimber’s cross was able to clear the VfB defense. Shortly afterwards, Dorsch stopped a Stuttgart counterattack with a foul on Fabian Rieder, who had just been substituted. The Swiss took the free kick himself, but got stuck on the wall. Woltemade headed the rebound into Müller’s hands (75′).

Four minutes later, Nübel spectacularly saved VfB’s lead. Schöppner had put through for Honsak, who was denied by the goalkeeper. Before FCH could launch its big final offensive, a penalty made the decision. Rieder combined with Woltemade in the penalty area and was hit on the foot by Jonas Föhrenbach. Woltemade remained ice-cold from the point and ensured the final score was 3-1 from Stuttgart’s perspective.

“For me, Nick was the best player on the pitch,” Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß praised his striker after the game. “He has a very good rate, that’s outstanding and no coincidence, because he deals with the situations well, is very reflective and willing to learn.”

Heidenheim was once again challenged twice

While 1. FC Heidenheim is stuck in relegation place 16 with ten points, VfB can now look upwards again with 23 points.

For the people of Heidenheim, the next English week continues. On Thursday (December 19th, 2024) FCH will welcome FC St. Gallen in the Conference League at 9:00 p.m. Three days later there will be a basement duel at VfL Bochum (3:30 p.m.). VfB Stuttgart will play the last game of the year on Saturday (December 21, 2024) against FC St. Pauli.