The Heidenheim players clapped their hands, the fans chanted “Derby winner, derby winner!” – rightly so, as Frank Schmidt also thought: “We simply chose the right means today,” said the FCH football coach after the 2-0 (0 :0) on Sunday evening against VfB Stuttgart on DAZN. Jan Schöppner (70th minute) and Tim Kleindienst with a goal from the center circle (90th + 4) scored for the promoted team, who had previously suffered four competitive defeats in a row and were eliminated from the DFB Cup.
“Huge compliment to my team,” said Schmidt, who only had one complaint: “We actually scored far too few goals today.” The Stuttgart team were served accordingly. The team simply “made too many mistakes,” said goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, “we couldn’t get the standard situations under control either, every cross, every corner was always burning.” And VfB striker Deniz Undav said: “We can “Thank you to our defense that it’s only 2-0 and not 3-0, 4-0 before, because they saved well at the back.”
Despite the defeat, VfB remained third in the table, but lost a bit of contact with the top. The Swabian derby would probably have been different if Silas had given Stuttgart the lead with a penalty kick – instead he drove the ball clear over the goal. (57th minute). “We didn’t play a good first half,” said VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß, and his team didn’t play “clearly enough”. “The bottom line is that it’s not enough.”
Trust increases
It was wet, cold and at times windy on the Ostalb, but both teams didn’t deliver the appropriate fighting game. The game was quite respectable. There were three hits on the crossbar in the sometimes turbulent first half alone.
VfB, who were missing midfielder Enzo Millot for personal reasons and defender Pascal Stenzel due to a thigh problem, had more possession and had their first big chance through Silas. The offensive player had already passed FCH keeper Kevin Müller on a counterattack before Bundesliga debutant Benedikt Gimber prevented him from finishing at the last moment (7th).
The people of Heidenheim gradually became more confident. Set piece specialist Jan-Niklas Beste repeatedly caused danger, especially with stationary balls. Schöppner (17th) and Gimber (43rd) each hit the crossbar with their heads. In between, Stuttgart’s captain and defense chief Waldemar Anton had to save several times in dire need. VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel once made a strong save against Heidenheim’s top scorer Kleindienst (33′).
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A few minutes before the break, the guests also had two good opportunities. Angelo Stiller flicked a free kick onto the crossbar (38th), striker Deniz Undav chased the ball over the box from a promising position (39th).
Even after the break, things continued quickly. VfB were awarded a penalty for a foul by Patrick Mainka on Anton, but Silas missed the huge opportunity and shot over the goal. As a result, the 25-year-old could see how much he was struggling with his missed shot. Visiting coach Sebastian Hoeneß finally took him off the field and brought on Jamie Leweling.
Shortly before, the Heidenheim team took the lead. Again a corner from Beste flew dangerously into the penalty area – and this time Schöppner was lucky to finish it. The 24-year-old hit the left corner with a header. The Stuttgart team then tried to equalize, but hardly had any really compelling chances. It wasn’t until stoppage time that VfB pressed for the equalizer again, but substitute Luca Raimund only pushed the ball onto the crossbar of the FCH goal from a few meters. Then Kleindienst came and scored from the center circle to make the final score 2-0 – and the big Heidenheim party began.
