The relegation-threatened Bundesliga club 1. FC Heidenheim shot the playoff first leg at FC Copenhagen after a significant increase in half-time.
The 1. FC Heidenheim won the first leg of the playoffs in the Conference League at FC Copenhagen 2-1 (0: 1). Jordan Larsson put the Danes in the lead in added time of the first half (45th+1 minute). Thomas Keller got the Heidenheimer equalization (59th), Tim Siersleben turned the game (85th).
The FCH started on Thursday (13.02.2025) compared to 0: 1 at SC Freiburg change with ten. Trainer Frank Schmidt only “parked” in the Copenhagener Patrick Mainka in the starting XI. The 21-year-old Frank Feller replaced regular keeper Kevin Müller in goal.
Feller was in the spotlight after two minutes when he fisted a flank from Robert from the danger zone. Otherwise, the FCH tried to disturb the game structure of the Danes at an early stage. Nevertheless, Copenhagen initiated several dangerous scenes in the Heidenheim penalty area. Norman Theuer purchase clarified a shot to the corner (5th), Tim Siersleben blocked a conclusion from Larsson (8th). The Heidenheimers, on the other hand, practically did not come into their own on the offensive, (too) fast ball losses shaped the Bundesliga team’s actions.
First approach of the Heidenheimer
After almost 20 minutes, the FCH ventured a little more into the opposing half. A deflected cross from Marnon Busch landed in the arms of keeper Diant Ramaj. The 23-year loan from Borussia Dortmund once played at VfB Stuttgart and in youth also in Heidenheim. On the other hand, Feller saved the 0-0 when he steered a header from Rodrigo Huescas to the crossbar. The Convocation of the Convocation of the Purchase of the Line (21st) clarified.
The encounter was now more open, which was also due to Heidenheim. Sirlord Conteh stole the ball in the pressing and served Marvin Pieringer, who found his master in Ramaj from 15 meters (23rd). Furthermore, the Danes were the much more dangerous team, but Feller was also on the post with the 18-meter cracker of Victor Froholdt (26th). Copenhagen’s Viktor Claesson was the second major chance of the game, but the attacker’s direct acceptance rushed through the FCH goal (37th). Almost with the break whistle, the hosts still took the lead. Marcos Lopez was released on the left. Larsson pressed his precise cross on the line.
Keller with the compensation for the FCH
Copenhagen also started in the second section. But Feller could safely parry a volley from Huescas (47th). Two minutes later, the Omar Traoré, who had substituted during the break, flanked into the penalty area, the ball fell in front of the feet of FCH attacker Conteh, but his degree went well over the box. After the switch to a system with two attackers, the Heidenheimers were more active in their own ball possession, the game was now balanced. A standard situation then gave the FCH the compensation. A free kick by Paul Wanner managed to go to Thomas Keller, who headed from four meters.
Copenhagen reacted and almost took the lead again through Larsson, but his shot stroked past the left corner (63.). The FCH played a lot of cheeky than in the first half – and came to chances. In the 67th minute, Wanner completed an attack he initiated himself from the penalty area, Ramaj was able to clarify the corner by reflex (67.). Heidenheim was now even the better eleven, but still had to run afterwards again: Feller saved against the free played Elias Achouri ten minutes before the end.
Siersleben lets the traveling fans cheer
Five minutes before the end, Siersleben brought the traveling fans to cheer. The advanced central defender served Mathias Honsak on the left, whose cross through detours landed again at Siersleben. The 24-year-old remained freezing cold and deliberately cares about the right corner. In the final minutes, Copenhagen practically nothing could be obtained on the offensive. Instead, substitute Jan Schöppner almost scored the third goal for the FCH.
“The first half was tough. Nevertheless, we only admitted two or three situations against offensive Copenhagener. The reaction in the second half was great,” said coach Frank Schmidt after the game in the RTL interview. Thanks to the clear increase in performance, the relegation -threatened Bundesliga club will move into the round of 16.
Mainz is waiting for the FCH before the second leg
The second leg will take place next Thursday (20.02.2025) in Heidenheim. The kick -off on the Schlossberg is at 6:45 p.m. The relegation battle in the Bundesliga for the FCH continues on Sunday. Then the 1st FSV Mainz 05 is guested in Heidenheim (7:30 p.m.).
Prize on Fri., 14.2.2025 6:00 a.m., SWR Currently in the morning, SWR Current
