“It was a back-and-forth game, really physical. But that’s good. We just weren’t brave enough after scoring in the first half. The second half was better, but there are a couple of issues in defence and in attack that we need to address. Heidenheim played really well – they knew that we weren’t fully in control,” said head coach Christian Streich after the full-time whistle.
Both sides were forced to make changes to their starting line-ups due to illness. Jordy Makengo missed out at SC, with Lukas Kübler replacing him at left-back. Roland Sallai also started in place of Vincenzo Grifo. Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt was without set-piece specialist Jan-Niklas Beste, with Adrian Beck coming into the side to deputise for FCH’s top goalscorer.
Wednesday’s clash also saw the two longest-serving head coaches in the Bundesliga face off. Both had reason to be confident heading into the match, after strong performances from their sides in recent weeks. While SC headed into the game on a run of three straight league wins without conceding, FCH were riding a two-game win streak.
Höler opens the scoring early on, Heidenheim keep up the pressure
With temperatures hovering just above freezing, a light rain started to fall as the match kicked off. Marnon Busch sent a free kick curling just wide of the target in the fifth minute. Those in the stands didn’t need to wait long to see their first goal of the night, however, as Merlin Röhl managed to get in behind the Heidenheim backline. He squared the ball to Lucas Höler, who only needed to tap in from seven metres out to put Freiburg ahead.
Heidenheim quickly collected themselves and continued to look for ways to threaten in and around SC’s goal. Well-timed blocks from Matthias Ginter (24′) and Merlin Röhl (31′) denied Tim Kleindienst, as the promoted side sought to net an equaliser. Noah Atubolu did well to deny the hosts a header from close range after a corner, stopping the ball on the line (32′).
While Heidenheim recorded a host of chances, SC struggled to add to their tally of shots. Despite fighting hard and getting stuck in, the team made too many errors when in possession, making it difficult to create chances and challenge FCH goalkeeper Kevin Müller. Referee Kevin Brand whistled for half time with SC clinging to a narrow 1-0 lead.
FCH equalise, SCF retake the lead
The second half started with an excellent chance for Streich’s side. After winning possession in midfield, Maximilian Eggestein played a pass down the centre to Roland Sallai, but his shot was blocked and only landed in the side-netting (48′). Despite SC having found their way back into the game, they were unfortunate to concede the equaliser. Kleindienst found Eren Dinkci on the edge of the box, as he placed the ball past Atubolu and into the top left (52′).
The match became more frantic from that moment on, with both sides looking to bypass the midfield with long balls. Neither side really won much ground during this period, with plenty of tackles breaking up the flow of the game.
Ritsu Doan was then brought down inside the box in the 64th minute, with Brand pointing to the spot immediately. Höler stepped up to take the penalty, smashing the ball into the back of the net with a powerful shot. Just minutes later, substitute Kevin Sessa hit the woodwork (68′).
A late winner
With Nicolas Höfler putting in a strong performance in centre midfield, Freiburg were much better at keeping their opponents from creating chances in the second half. Nevertheless, FCH were able to level the scores once more, as former SC man Kleindienst struck from close range to make it 2-2 (84′).
The closing stages saw plenty of action in front of both goals. SC’s best opportunity came from Eggestein, whose powerful effort from range was blocked just before it could cross the goalline (89′). Junior Adamu also popped up unmarked in front of Müller, but the ball was poked out of his reach just before he could get a shot off (90’+2). Just as it seemed as though the points would be shared, Ginter redirected a cross into the back of his own net, having to watch on as Heidenheim celebrated their late winner.
SC will head into the winter break with 24 points from 16 games, sitting in eighth place (level on points with sixth). Their first competitive game of the new year will see them host 1. FC Union Berlin on matchday 17 in January, as they close out the first half of the season.
Photo: Achim Keller
