Heidenheim pulled off a spectacular 2-1 win in Copenhagen after an outstanding second-half efficiency. The groups will meet for the return leg in Voith-Enviornment subsequent week.
| Frank Schmidt’s adjustments impressed historic win | Daniela Porcelli/Getty Photographs |
Heidenheim got here into the tie on the again of 4 straight Bundesliga defeats. With Holstein Kiel and VfL Bochum sharing the spoils final Sunday, FCH are at present three factors adrift of the foot of the desk. Identical to the league section, Frank Schmidt picked a special workforce from the one struggling to choose up factors in Bundesliga.
In distinction, Copenhagen are prime of the Danish Superliga by advantage of a superior objective distinction over FC Midtjylland. Nonetheless, with the winter break lasting till the upcoming weekend, Jacob Neestrup’s facet was but to play a aggressive recreation in 2025. They misplaced each of their final two friendlies, together with a 4-3 defeat to fellow Superliga workforce AGF final Saturday.
The hosts began the sport brightly as they dominated possession earlier than the sport’s first probability within the twentieth minute. Rodrigo Huescas, who comes within the place of suspended Gladbach loanee Kevin Dicks, was expertly denied by Heindeheim’s younger goalkeeper Frank Feller.
The precise-back’s header ricocheted off the publish by the 21-year-old earlier than Norman Theuerkauf cleared Jordan Larsson’s subsequent effort from the objective line. Feller’s subsequent massive save shortly adopted as he parried away Victor Froholdt’s curling try. The 18-year-old produced one other dazzling efficiency in his fortieth look for Copenhagen.
The possibilities hold coming for Copenhagen with Robert, Viktor Claesson and Magnus Mattsson failing to transform alternatives till the final kick of the first-half. Marcos López’s overlapping run was noticed by Mattsson, who cut up Heidenheim’s defensive position with a weighted by cross. From the Peruvian’s pin-point supply, Larsson opened the scoring with a straightforward end.
Henrik Larsson’s son had a scoreless spell at Schalke earlier than a everlasting transfer to Copenhagen for €2 million at the beginning of final season. It was his first objective in all competitions in a marketing campaign riddled with accidents.
Marvin Pieringer had Heidenheim’s solely shot on course within the first-half. Nonetheless, Diant Ramaj’s debut was nonetheless eventful due to Schmidt’s substitutions and Heidenheim’s set-pieces play after the break.
Changing the 38-year-old Theuerkauf for the second-half, Omar Traoré posed a constant attacking risk whereas limiting López to his half. And, then, there was an enormous enchancment from Heidenheim’s set-pieces. Paul Wanner’s deliveries made it really feel like Jan-Niklas Beste was again within the membership.
The Bayern loanee was additionally on the coronary heart of the equalizing objective. His free-kick was headed by the 2 center-backs earlier than Thomas Keller guided it residence in his European debut. As a substitute of going for the draw, Schmidt launched Budu Zivzivadz and Mathias Honsak immediately.
Ramaj would then make nice saves from Wanner and Honsak earlier than Copenhagen regained momentum with Mohamed Elyounoussi and Roony Bardghji’s introductions. The duo mixed effectively earlier than Feller made one other tremendous save to disclaim the 19-year-old.
However, towards all odds, it was the friends who got here away with a slender first leg lead. Tim Seirsleben timed his run to complete off a transfer he began with aplomb. The middle-back was unmarked when Honsak’s supply was deflected his manner by Thomas Delaney. Within the dying minutes, Ramaj even needed to make one other good save from Jan Schoppner’s stable effort.
Heidenheim will return to league motion on Sunday once they host Mainz. Copenhagen’s first league recreation of the 12 months will see them journey to third-placed Randers FC on Monday. The Convention League tie shall be selected Voith-Enviornment subsequent week.
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