Conference League qualification: Successful European debut – Heidenheim wins in Hacken

1. Heidenheim managed to achieve their first win in their first match on the international stage. At BK Häcken, coach Frank Schmidt's team won by a narrow but deserved margin.

1. Heidenheim won their first European appearance against Swedish club BK Hacken 2-1 (1-1). Sirlord Conteh (32') and Leonardo Senza (65') scored for FCH, while Mikkel Reigard (36') scored for Sweden.

By winning the first leg of the playoffs, Frank Schmidt's side have a good chance of advancing to the league stage of the UEFA Conference League in the second leg in Heidenheim. A draw will be enough for that.

Frank Schmidt remains humble: '2-1 up at half-time'

In an interview with SWR after the final whistle, FCH coach Schmidt praised his team, but remained calm as usual. The lead came “through good pressing behaviour” from Conte. The equaliser then fell “very quickly”. “In the second half we had to overcome two or three situations. Frank Weiler, who also kept us in the game twice,” the coach praised the 20-year-old goalkeeper's performance.

Leonardo Senza's 2-1 win was “important”. “We lead 2-1 at half-time, we know that,” Schmidt summed up his outlook on the upcoming return leg in Heidenheim (August 29, 8:30 p.m., live on SWR TV and in the podcast on Sportschau). De). But now “we are happy to take the result with us”.

Asked about the nine changes to Schmidt's starting line-up compared to the cup game against Willingen, the coach said: “There is an explanation for every change.” All the changes could have been made with full conviction.

Schmidt explained that the young Feller was in goal because of his experience on grass pitches. The match against BK Häcken was also played on artificial turf. Feller could have played on such a pitch “for years” when he was young. “It's a completely different behaviour,” the coach explained of the match on unfamiliar ground.

Winning goal scorer Leonardo Senza feels like he's in a dream

Leonardo Schenza, the scorer of the decisive 2-1 match, was at a loss for words to express how happy he was with his current situation after the final whistle. The left winger played last season for SSV Ulm in the third division. “Every day is a dream for me,” the happy Brazilian said via the SWR microphone after the match. Every match for 1.FC Heidenheim is a special event. “I am very happy and I just want to enjoy this season with Heidenheim,” said the winning scorer.

Tough start to the game with advantages for Hacken

In a well-attended arena near the centre of Gothenburg, Frank Schmidt's starting eleven, which had been changed to nine positions compared to the DFB Cup match in Villingen, had difficulty getting into the game. There wasn't much from the Swedish home side in the early stages either, but then BK Hacken had the first chances. First, Hacken striker Zidane Inosa tested Heidenheim goalkeeper Feller from twelve metres out. He defended the ball for a corner (21'). Just two minutes later, Inosa's strike partner Omar Layouni managed to block a powerful shot from Feller from inside the penalty area (23').

The more than 500 Heidenheim fans who were in attendance saw their team FCH's first good chance midway through the first half. After a corner kick, Jan Schöppner rose high in the penalty area and headed the ball towards goal. Häcken goalkeeper Peter Abrahamsson reacted with presence of mind and put the ball back into the field (29th place).

Conte scores historic goal for FCH – Hacken responds

It looked as if 1. FC Heidenheim had gained courage from this first approach to goal. Just two minutes later, the speedy Conte sent a sloppy pass into the BK Hacken defence. Alone in front of Abrahamsson, Heidenheimer held his nerve and slotted into the top right corner to make it 1-0 and score 1. FC Heidenheim's first ever European Cup goal (32).

But shortly afterwards the home side responded. First, striker Ali Youssef missed a golden opportunity for the Swedes from 11 metres out when he fired the ball unchallenged into the FCH goal (min. 35). A minute later, Mikkel Reigard did better. After some great passing from the Swedes, the midfielder scored from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner of the Heidenheim goal (min. 36). When referee Viktor Kobievski blew the whistle for the end of the first half, the score was 1-1.

Hacken with good chances – Heidenheim take the lead

The first approach of the second half went to Östalp. New signing Leonardo Senza fired a free kick towards the Swedish goal, but goalkeeper Abrahamsson was again cautious and shot the ball outside the danger area (47). But as in the first half, BK Häcken managed to threaten on goal time and again. Feller managed to save a low shot from defender Adam Lundqvist (54). Shortly after that, Youssef had another great chance to make it 2-1 to BK Häcken. The Swedes fired an attacking ball unchallenged over the FCH goal from seven metres (56). The game now became very entertaining and went back and forth.

After a good hour, the strong Heidenheimer Scienza team stirred up great emotions in the visitors' building. First he failed with a great long-range shot that hit the outside of the opponent's goal (63'). Two minutes later he scored: Scienza received the ball in the left corner of the BK Häcken penalty area and used a powerful technique to hit the inside of Häcken's goal. From there the ball bounced behind the goal line and the score became 2-1 to Heidenheim (65th).

As a result, the Swedes increased their attacking commitment once again. Youssef failed with his backheel attempt on the leg of FCH defender Jonas Forenbach (76th). In the 83rd minute, Feller saved Heidenheim again from Youssef. He penetrated the penalty area, but the FCH goalkeeper made a strong save to stop the Swede's shot. This was the last big chance for BK Häcken, 1. FC Heidenheim defended with great discipline. When referee Kupjewski blew the final whistle, Heidenheim's 2-1 win in Sweden was fully deserved.

The return leg is next week in Heidenheim.

Which of the two teams will qualify for the league stage of the Conference League will be decided on August 29 (8:30 p.m., live on SWR TV and in the podcast on Sportschau.de). Frank Schmidt's team then welcomes the Swedes in the return leg. Before that, FCH wants to start the Bundesliga season with a win. On Sunday (August 25, 5:30 p.m.) FC St. Pauli awaits Heidenheim.

Broadcast on Friday 23 August 2024 at 5:00 am, Good Morning Baden-Württemberg, SWR1 Baden-Württemberg