Our next opponents: Will staying up become a mission impossible?

Position

Ever since the 2-0 defeat in the relegation clash with Werder Bremen on matchday 24, even the biggest optimists in Heidenheim have gradually lost faith. "It would be more than a miracle if we avoided the drop again," said coach Frank Schmidt after the game three weeks ago. "We were missing a lot. We were very slow mentally. From 1-0 down you could clearly see that it was incredibly difficult. Because: We knew we had to win the game, then mentality comes into it. We simply lacked the conviction and, in the end, the quality to turn the game around. I'm not someone who hopes, I'm someone who usually believes. But that's just as difficult for me as it is for our fans."

Honest words from a coaching legend. The 52-year-old coach has been in the FCH dugout for more than 18 years. In the 2022/23 season, Schmidt sensationally led the club to the Bundesliga. And he will now do everything in his power to pick up as many points as possible with his team in the remaining eight games. A man like Schmidt sees that as a point of honour. "Everyone is responsible for themselves," says the coach. "We have to have respect, also towards the competition, regardless of our own position."

Heidenheim have not won in 13 games (ten defeats, three draws). The last victory dates back to the beginning of December last year: a 2-1 win at home to SC Freiburg. Last weekend, Heidenheim lost 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt. "A game on equal terms, all the more annoying that we lost it," said centre-back Benedikt Gimber. It was Heidenheim's 18th defeat in 26 matches. They will probably have unpleasant memories of the Hinrunde meeting with the Werkself: FCH suffered their heaviest loss in the Bundesliga in a 6-0 defeat at Leverkusen.

Personnel

Frank Schmidt will not have to make any major changes to his squad on Saturday compared to the defeat in Frankfurt. Only full-backs Leonidas Stergiou (torn muscle) and Leart Pacarada (rehab after torn cruciate) are unavailable due to injury.

In defence, FCH are likely to operate with a back four again, with the centre-backs Benedikt Gimber and Patrick Mainka first choices in recent weeks. Jan Schöppner and Niklas Dorsch are among the leaders in midfield, while the flanks will be occupied by Christian Conteh, Eren Dinkci and Arijon Ibrahimovic. The latter is on loan from Bayern Munich and is FCH's leading scorer and provider, but was he substituted in Frankfurt due to a knock and is doubtful for the game against the Werkself.

Problems

With 58 goals conceded, FCH currently have the most porous defence in the Bundesliga. The team has not kept a clean sheet in any of its 26 games so far this season. Heidenheim are vulnerable not least on the counter-attack: The team from the Ostalb have conceded nine goals in this way - as have Eintracht Frankfurt. FCH have also struggled in attacking play. 41 per cent possession is the second-worst figure, only surpassed by Union Berlin (38 per cent). The team's scoring rate is no better: Schmidt's team have netted 24 goals and are next to last in this ranking. It is significant that Stefan Schimmer is the FCH top scorer with five goals, having come on as a substitute 19 times in his 21 appearances.

While FCH were characterised by their home strength in the first Bundesliga season in 2023/24, the Voith Arena has ceased to be a fortress over the past two seasons. Heidenheim have only won two home games this season and have collected just ten points in front of their own fans - only VfL Wolfsburg have one less point at home. The Heidenheim keeper Diant Ramaj has had to pick the ball out of the back of the net 31 times in the 13 games at home. Only Tasmania Berlin (1965/66) and Rot-Weiss Essen (1973/74) conceded one more goal each in their first 13 home games in the Bundesliga.

Performers

Without goalkeeper Diant Ramaj, FCH might have conceded even more goals. The 24-year-old is one of Heidenheim's most reliable players with consistently good performances. The same applies to captain Patrick Mainka, who is one of the top ten players in terms of duels. Talking of challenges: In this area, the team at the bottom of the table are in a good midtable position in terms of number and ratio. FCH never lack commitment and stamina. Morale is high in the team. Always. However, the Schmidt team has rarely been rewarded for their courageous performances. On matchday 23, for example, Heidenheim drew 3-3 with VfB Stuttgart in an end-to-end encounter at the Voith Arena. And FCH showed that they still have plenty of life left in them. In particular, Eren Dinkci, who returned to Heidenheim from Freiburg in January, and has revitalised FCH's attacking play.

The team also put in an impressive battling display in the 3-2 defeat in Dortmund at the beginning of February, even turning the game around after trailing 1-0 at one stage and then missing two great chances to equalise in stoppage time. "We can take courage from games like those against Dortmund and Stuttgart. That's why I still believe we can go on a winning run," said Hennes Behrens. And perhaps the huge pressure of having to win is now gone. FC Heidenheim no longer have much to lose.