Heidenheim Misses Out on Round of 16 Coup in European Competition

UEFA Conference League, 1. FC Heidenheim - FC , Preliminary Round, Matchday 6, Voith-Arena. Heidenheim's Norman Theuerkauf celebrates after scoring the opening goal.

The 1. FC Heidenheim has at least freed itself from the negative spiral with a draw, but has missed out on direct qualification for the Round of 16 in the European competition. With a 1-1 (1-0) draw against FC St. Gallen, Coach Frank Schmidt's crisis team managed to finish the group stage of the Conference League on a somewhat positive note. However, they didn't accumulate enough points to secure a place among the top eight.

In their final home game of a remarkable football year, Heidenheim was on course for the Round of 16 at halftime, thanks to Norman Theuerkauf's lead in the 30th minute. They were, however, reliant on favorable results from competing teams, and in the second half, they conceded an equalizer from Jozo Stanic in the 77th minute. This result dashed their hopes of avoiding the playoffs.

After suffering seven consecutive competitive-match defeats, the draw was at least a balm for the soul ahead of the crucial  matchup. On Sunday, the 16th-placed team under Coach Frank Schmidt hopes to secure important points against bottom-feeders .

They will continue their European journey as debutants on the international football stage amidst the Bundesliga relegation battle, with the playoffs set to take place. On Friday at 13:00, the draw will determine who the Eastalb club faces on February 13 and 20 in their quest for a spot among the top 16.

Unlike the Europa League and the Champions League, the league phase of the Conference League ends after just six matchdays. The Bundesliga’s only representative had already secured playoff participation prior to their match against the Swiss.

A week after the ‘non-performance’ (as described by Frank Schmidt) and the 1-3 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir, the hosts controlled the match from the outset in persistent rain. With significant ball possession, they pushed the Swiss team back into their half in front of 15,000 spectators.

Half an hour into the match, they made their dominance count: the rapid Sirlord Conteh on the right flank was initially blocked, but after his second cross, the left-back Theuerkauf was unmarked and converted from five meters out.

After the break, the guests, coached by former Augsburg Bundesliga coach Enrico Maaßen, improved their performance. The Swiss team tested the Heidenheim defense more than in the first half. Rising star Paul Wanner missed an opportunity to extend Heidenheim's lead five minutes before conceding, hitting the post. This miss was punished shortly thereafter when they conceded an equalizing header from a corner kick.