Three standard situations gave 1. FC Heidenheim a victory in the duel between the promoted teams. Jan Schöppner (42nd) and Patrick Mainka (69th/71st) scored in the 3-2 (1-0) win against Darmstadt 98 after dead balls and an assist from Jan-Niklas Beste. Coach Frank Schmidt’s team increased the gap to their direct competitors in the fight against relegation to five points.
Before double packer Mainka helped his team to their fourth home win within 129 seconds in the turbulent second half, the Lilies, who were severely weakened, had taken control of the game.
After the equalizer by Heidenheim native Tim Skarke (52nd), they benefited from an own goal by Lennard Maloney (60th) to take the lead.
The Lilies, who will be without their top scorer Marvin Mehlem (broken fibula) until the end of the year, had the first chance of the game through Oscar Vilhelmsson – Heidenheim’s goalkeeper Kevin Müller just raised his fists (9th). Afterwards, both teams had a number of promising opportunities, but without becoming particularly dangerous.
Heidenheim does what it can
After half an hour, things calmed down a bit before Heidenheim capitalized on a set-piece situation for the seventh time this season: Schöppner headed in from Beste’s free kick. It was already the eleventh goal participation for Heidenheim’s top scorer Beste. Up until then, the guests’ reorganized defense had stood well, and they also showed good progress going forward.
After the break it worked for Darmstadt. First, Müller was once again the winner in the duel with Vilhelmsson (50th), but just two minutes later Skarke finished with vehemence in a duel with Omar Traore from 14 meters. Just another eight minutes later, the visitors, who appeared more determined, had turned the game around: after a cross from Skarke, the ball bounced off Maloney’s left foot into the goal.
Heidenheim? Didn’t give up and did what it does almost perfectly. Pulled out set pieces. Mainka scored from corners.