1. FC Heidenheim experienced a bitter first home game in its Bundesliga history. A 2:0 is not enough to win. “I wouldn’t even have been satisfied with a draw,” says Schmidt.
At the end of 1. FC Heidenheim’s turbulent, historic first Bundesliga home game, coach Frank Schmidt felt “like in the wrong movie”.
The first division newcomer led 2-0 up until the final quarter of an hour on this very special Saturday – and then lost 2-3 (1-0) against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. “What can I say – today the result just doesn’t fit. It was a great game,” said the coach. But the defeat was “brutal”, the 49-year-old summed up: “I wouldn’t even have been satisfied with a draw today – we should have won the game.”
Better for a long time
For a long time, the Heidenheimers had been the better team. His professionals have shown that they can survive in the Bundesliga, said Schmidt. But now, after this crazy final phase, the promoted team travels without points to next Friday’s game at Borussia Dortmund. The newcomer could quickly come under pressure. “We mustn’t doubt ourselves for long,” demanded Schmidt.
As he stood in the catacombs, his hair was dripping, his jacket and pants were soaked from the rain. For a long time in the sold-out arena with 15,000 spectators, it seemed as if the only thing that didn’t suit the Heidenheimer’s home game premiere a week after the 0-2 loss in Wolfsburg was the weather.
The hosts played boldly and determined the game. In the first half, Hoffenheim hardly played an attacking game. The fans of the Ostalb club, who greeted their team with the words “Arrived at the big table – let the games begin”, quickly had reason to celebrate good scenes on the offensive. Jan-Niklas Beste initially missed the great opportunity from the point to put Heidenheim in the lead with a hand penalty (16th minute).
Missed 911s have no effect
But the newcomer didn’t let himself be deterred by missed chances and the missed penalty, increased his enthusiasm – and rewarded himself. Referee Robert Hartmann initially pointed to the penalty spot again, but corrected his decision because Marius Bülter’s foul on Omar Traoré was outside the penalty area. Beste hit the top right corner from the right-hand edge of the penalty area and entered the Heidenheim annals as the club’s first Bundesliga goalscorer (26′).
Marvin Pieringer increased with a header after a corner by Beste (58th). And if the home team had then used the chance to make it 3-0, the Heidenheim players might not have had to leave the pitch dejected. “The disappointment is there right now, also an emptiness,” Beste summed up afterwards: “It’s inexplicable how we then lose the game 2-3. In the end we have to chalk up the fact that we scored one or two goals too little. “
Substitute Maximilian Beier (77th) scored the connection for Hoffenheim. After that it was “a different game” and his team “wasn’t that compact anymore”, Schmidt quarreled. His players had “clarified too wildly” and “no longer had an overview”. Pavel Kadeřábek (81st) equalized. Andrej Kramaric kept his nerve when his penalty had to be repeated and spoiled the promoted team’s potential point win (90′).
“Everything should have been decided a long time ago,” criticized Schmidt. “In the end, the disappointment prevails. It’s the Bundesliga, we’re still happy to be in it. But of course we have to defend it better or close the lid sooner.”
Source: Stern
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