When RB Leipzig played at Manchester City in the Champions League, Heidenheim’s coach Frank Schmidt was at the FCH general meeting. But he was still able to see enough of the upcoming opponent to make some interesting comparisons to the Saxons. Among other things, he and his team once became champions – ahead of Leipzig.
Looking for an idea for the offensive before the duel with Leipzig: Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt. IMAGO/Michael Weber
The discrepancy between home and away games is unmistakable at FCH. Heidenheim was only able to score one point with the 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund on matchday 3. Frank Schmidt, however, not wrongly points out the fact that the away games almost always had to be played in the top eight.
The upcoming opponent, RB Leipzig, also belongs to this category. Of course, Schmidt watched Leipzig’s 3-2 defeat in the Champions League at Manchester City during the week and immediately made a comparison: “The conditions for Leipzig in Manchester are comparable to our conditions in Leipzig.”
We can’t go to Leipzig and say we’re just defending. We need an idea on the offensive.
It’s a good thing that Schmidt was able to observe further development in his team’s defensive game after the 0-0 draw against VfL Bochum. He praised his team’s performance in this area as “grown up”. Schmidt is aware that his defense will face a lot in Leipzig.
However, we will not isolate ourselves. “We can’t go to Leipzig and say that we’re just defending. We need an idea on the offensive and have to surprise Leipzig a little bit in order to keep tying them, through our switching game and through ideas that we take with us,” says Schmidt.
At that time still champions before Leipzig
With a smile, Heidenheim’s coach didn’t miss the opportunity to mention that in 2014 they were promoted to the second division as champions ahead of Leipzig. “I would like to emphasize that again.” But then to realistically add that since then the gap has become quite wide. The two teams were tied on points at the time, with FCH having a goal difference that was three goals better.
At the end of 2023, the balance of power has actually changed somewhat: “Two worlds are colliding. Everything has to be right for us to take something away, just as everything should have been right for Leipzig in the game at Manchester City.” Nevertheless, he and his team will accept this game like any other and rely on additional components such as “luck” and “skill” in defense.
Two worlds meet there. Everything has to be right for us so that we can take something with us.
Frank Schmidt about the duel against Leipzig
His striker Tim Kleindienst didn’t need any special care during the week after he missed a huge chance against VfL Bochum in the 90th minute, so Schmidt was able to have a calming effect. “He missed a chance to score – and he will miss even more chances to score. For me it is important that strikers have such chances. The extraordinary thing is that Tim Kleindienst in the 90th minute, for the umpteenth time, beat a defender like that put him under pressure so that he made the mistake and got this chance,” says Schmidt about his goalscorer. You don’t have to worry about this.
Perception must not shift
However, this scene should not lead to a false perception on the part of the fans, Schmidt raises his index finger: If the perception is that two points were left behind, “then that’s the wrong one,” says Schmidt clearly. “It will be a long fight for us, a long road. I quote Steffen Baumgart, who spoke of a snail race in which little things make the difference and where it is incredibly difficult to score points.”
Although you can be on equal terms with the teams in the table and win, sometimes you have to take a point. “It’s incredibly difficult to score points or get three points in the Bundesliga, especially for us as promoted teams,” says Schmidt. That’s why the route is crucial “and the attitude we have.”
With the exception of the games against Gladbach (1:2) and against Augsburg (2:5), his team has always invested everything “and then the opponents praise how incredibly difficult it is to play against us,” says the FCH. Trainer. The FCH would like to be difficult to play against again in Leipzig.
2023-11-30 16:21:49
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