1. FC Heidenheim shoots Darmstadt 98 again into the 2nd league | EUROtoday

After a yr it's over once more: Darmstadt 98 is the primary to be relegated from the Bundesliga. After the 1-0 (0-0) win on Sunday (April 28, 2024), 1. FC Heidenheim may even dream a little bit about Europe.

A yr in the past, 1. FC Heidenheim and Darmstadt 98 made it into the Bundesliga collectively, and the duel in opposition to one another now confirmed that they may half methods once more after this season. Because after the 0-1 defeat, the Darmstadt crew can now not be saved three match days earlier than the top of the season. The hole to 1. FSV Mainz 05 in sixteenth place is eleven factors.

“It's very difficult for me, it hurts a lot to be relegated in front of our home fans“mentioned midfielder Tobias Kempe within the Sportschau interview.”The team threw everything into it again and we received great support. I'm proud to be part of this club. It's incredibly bitter, but it continues.”

This signifies that the “Lilien’s” third Bundesliga season will finish with their second relegation after 2016/17. On the opposite hand, the Heidenheimers can plan nearly instantly for his or her second Bundesliga season. Coach Frank Schmidt's crew, in tenth place, is 9 factors forward of Mainz and might solely theoretically be overtaken by the 5 groups positioned behind them. It is even doable to qualify for the European Cup.

“Lilies” defy the hopeless state of affairs

It had been obvious for a very long time that Darmstadt could be relegated; the promoted crew has been backside of the desk since matchday 14. The incontrovertible fact that the crew needs to say goodbye with a constructive closing impression was most not too long ago seen within the 2-0 win at 1. FC Köln – and that continued in opposition to Heidenheim.

Coach Torsten Lieberknecht's crew began extraordinarily courageously, however Fabian Nürnberger missed the primary good likelihood from the sting of the penalty space and aimed a little bit too excessive (fifth). Not way more occurred offensively, however the Darmstadt crew didn't let a lot of something go incorrect defensively both. Patrick Mainka pressured “Lilien” goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen to make his solely save within the first half (twenty sixth).

Müller robust within the Heidenheimer objective

His counterpart Kevin Müller was requested after simply twelve seconds after the break. Tim Skarke tried a volley from 20 meters and posed issues for the Heidenheim keeper, however he was nonetheless in a position to fend off the ball (46'). The identical factor additionally utilized to Schuhen on the opposite aspect after Tim Kleindienst tried from 18 meters (58th).

From an analogous distance it grew to become much more harmful when Nürnberger took the free kick. The ball moved with nice pace and precision in direction of the nook of the Heidenheim objective, however Müller was in a position to defuse the shot with a flying save (66th). After the feat, he stood up and made a gesture that was meant to say: “Nobody can get past me today.”

Heidenheim moved as much as seventh place

The impression was additionally confirmed when Müller rapidly raised his hand after a shot from Oscar Vilhelmsson from shut vary and directed the ball over his objective (76th). And it didn't change till the ultimate whistle, additionally as a result of Darmstadt may now not assert itself decisively on offense. And as a result of Heidenheim additionally kept away from taking any dangers, an uneventful closing part nearly sealed the goalless draw.

Because the whole lot pointed to this, however solely till the ninetieth minute. Then Heidenheim countered boldly once more. Nikola Dovedan took benefit of a severe defensive mistake by the hosts and scored the one objective of the night. Thanks to the late victory, the promoted crew not solely has nothing to do with the relegation battle, however can also be solely three factors behind seventh place, which may nonetheless be sufficient to participate within the Conference League.

“It is extremely important for us that we stick with it and get them as many points as possible. Because we have nothing to give away“, mentioned Müller within the Sportschau interview. And coach Schmidt added in view of the upcoming relegation: “For us it's something incredible, many people didn't believe we could do it. But we did it and we deserve to play in the Bundesliga next season.“

Darmstadt in Wolfsburg, Heidenheim in opposition to Mainz 05

Darmstadt 98 will play in opposition to VfL Wolfsburg on the following match day (Saturday 05/04/24, 3:30 p.m.), 1. FC Heidenheim will host Mainz 05 (Sunday 05/05/24, 7:30 p.m.).