Never scored for FCH in the first half
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Stefan Schimmer (31) had to wait almost two years and two months for his first Bundesliga goal, but the Heidenheimer has now played his way into the spotlight as a top joker. The relatively unknown attacker is emblematic of the slight upward trend of FCH, which was able to win two games in a row for the first time since March. Schimmer played a key role in this, scoring in the final minutes against Union Berlin (2:1) and Freiburg (2:1).
In seven of his eight games this season, Schimmer came off the bench and scored four goals – no other joker in the Bundesliga is more successful. In the games against Werder Bremen (2-2), where he scored his debut goal after 31 goalless games, and in the last two weeks, his goals helped Heidenheim collect seven points – a good two thirds of the points account. For the first time since matchday 1, FCH is no longer in a direct relegation zone.
Schimmer has had an unusual path to the Bundesliga. Without training in a youth training center, he initially moved from the state league team FC Gundelfingen to the regional league team FC Memmingen, where he did not stay for long due to his outstanding goal rate. SpVgg Unterhaching brought him to the 3rd league in 2017, where he also recommended himself for higher tasks in his second season. This is how Schimmer ended up in Heidenheim, and in 2023 he was promoted to the upper house – in an unusual role.
Ever since the striker laced up his boots for FCH, he has been a real joker. He completed 142 of his 160 appearances as a substitute, spending an average of 26 minutes on the pitch. Only three of his 21 goals came from Schimmer as a starting eleven. Particularly strange: He has never been able to score a goal in the first half for Heidenheim.
Schimmer as the top joker in Heidenheim: “Never really got into the role”
“I never really got used to the role. But since I’ve been in Heidenheim, it’s been a big part of my job to be the Joker. I’m happy that it’s working again now,” said Schimmer am “Sportschau” microphone after the last minute win against Freiburg. Is he the perfect joker that a Bundesliga team needs? “Yes, definitely the last few weeks. I’m grateful that things are going well, that I can help the team. I’m happy for it to continue like this.”
His teammates are also grateful. “It just doesn’t take him long to get into the game. And as he has shown, he is an absolute penalty area striker and has a nose,” said captain Patrick Mainka (31) and added: “Please, please, keep it up!” Coach Frank Schmidt had already praised Schimmer before the duel with Freiburg. “He has undergone a good development. He accepts his role and has helped the team out of a difficult starting position,” said the 51-year-old. “He scored a very important goal against Berlin, which wasn’t easy. He finished in typical striker fashion. It’s good that we have him and that he helps us with goals when we need him as a team.”
Next Saturday (3:30 p.m.) Heidenheim could take the next step from the basement against table neighbors FC St. Pauli. “We have to take the mood from the last two games with us,” demanded Schimmer. “Don’t let up a bit. There’s still a long way to go and now there’s another groundbreaking game.” The team definitely appears much more united. “We’re keeping the games open until the 90th minute. The other games before that felt like they were decided at halftime,” said Schimmer. “You can see what power the team has to fight back” – also through the top joker.
