1. FC Heidenheim remains unbeaten in the seventh game in a row in the 2nd Bundesliga, but was unable to win in a wild game at 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
In the south-west duel of the 2nd Bundesliga, 1. FC Heidenheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern drew 2-2. The game on the Betzenberg was characterized for a long time by intense duels and tactically good defensive lines and less by fireworks on the offensive – up to injury time. The Heidenheim goals were scored by top scorer Tim Kleindienst (53rd minute) and former Lautrer Florian Pick (75th). Nicolas de Préville (90+3) and Philipp Hercher (90+5) scored for Lautern.
Due to the division of points, Frank Schmidt’s team remains in second place in the table with 51 points, but failed to pull away from the third Hamburger SV. FCK broke the 40-point mark with the draw and thus achieved their goal for the season.
Tactical first half
In comparison to 2-0 defeat at Darmstadt 98 FCK coach Dirk Schuster changed his eleven to three positions. Daniel Hanslik, Erik Durm and Robin Bormuth have replaced Hendrick Zuck, Pilipp Klement and Kenny Prince Redondo in the starting XI. His counterpart Frank Schmidt left it at one change in personnel: Christian Kühlwetter, who was still with Brilliant 5:2 win against Karlsruher SC had run up, had to give way for the returned Kevin Sessa.
Both teams got off to a good start, cheered on by 41,543 fans in the Fritz-Walter-Stadion. After just one minute, the ball fluttered in the direction of FCK keeper Andreas Luthe for the first time. The first Heidenheimer corner brought no danger. At the other end, Aaron Opoku developed the first goal threat with a shot at the FCH goal (5th). However, neither team could create any really big chances in the first quarter of an hour. The game, though intense, was mostly played in the centre, with slight ball possession advantages for the guests.
No goals at half time
Only in the 23rd minute did FCK appear dangerous again in front of Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Müller: A defensive attempt by Lennard Maloney landed on Erik Durm, but the 2014 world champion only hit the side netting with his shot from the left-hand position. The game continued to be very tactical, with both defensive lines standing securely and waiting for the opponent to make mistakes. FCK gained small advantages in the course of the first half, but no dangerous chances to score. And also at Heidenheim, after all, the strongest offensive in the 2nd division (51 goals) with top scorer Tim Kleindienst (19 goals up to that point) went forward neither out of the game nor through set pieces. So it went with the goalless draw at the break.
FCK plays, Kleindienst meets
The guests from the Ostalb started the second 45 minutes with a change: Stefan Schimmer came on for Sessa, who received a yellow card after a swallow. FCK continued unchanged and initially had more possession. In the 53rd minute, however, the course of the game was turned upside down: Former Lauterer Florian Pick picked up momentum in midfield and brought the ball in the direction of the FCK penalty area. There teammate Kleindienst stole the ball and put it in the bottom right corner with a dry shot from 16 meters. It was the 20th goal of the season for the 27-year-old.
Pick’s dream goal
FCK coach Schuster reacted to the deficit and brought on Philipp Hercher for Hanslik and Klement for Nicolai Rapp. However, the two fresh forces rarely got through against Heidenheimer who were standing securely. Since the Palatinate increasingly moved up, there were spaces for the Heidenheimer. And the FCH made a lot out of little space: Fifteen minutes before the end, Florian Pick simply took a dry shot from 23 meters. His right-footed shot dropped unsustainably over Luthe to make it 2-0 in the far corner.
Wild stoppage time
Despite being 2-0 down, the Red Devils have not yet given up. Substitute Lex-Tyger Lobinger put a cross from Opoku just wide of the far post (81st). It was the chance to score. FCH striker Kleindienst missed his second goal in added time. After a foul on cool weather, referee Robert Hartmann pointed to the penalty spot. However, Kleindienst hit the right post with the subsequent penalty kick and thus missed the final decision.
FCK celebrated on the other side: First, substitute Nicolas de Préville (90+3) scored from sixteen meters to make it 1-2. And it wasn’t over yet: Whipped forward by the more than 40,000 fans, FCK had one last attack. The guests did not get the ball cleared, Kraus hung up for Hercher, who slammed the ball into the top right corner to make it 2-2.
On the coming matchday, 1. FC Kaiserslautern will play Eintracht Braunschweig (Saturday, April 8th, 1:00 p.m.). Second-placed Heidenheim welcomes current fourth-placed FC St. Pauli in the evening game (8:30 p.m.).
