- News1. Heidenheim
- Leo Scienza, Kevin Müller and Sirlord Conteh all featured on the final day of the Bundesliga campaign despite speculation about their fitness levels.
- Frank Schmidt will have to deal with three injuries in the play-offs, but none of the sidelined trio would be challenging the starting XI.
- Expect Heidenheim to stick with the 3-4-2-1 system deployed against Werder Bremen, but midfielder Luca Kerber and former Karlsruher forward Budu Zivzivadze are pushing for starts.
Elversberg- Expect Horst Steffen to name the same starting XI that beat Schalke on the final day, with Elversberg in fine form heading into this two-legged play-off tie.
- Luca Schnellbacher is pushing for a place in the line-up after penning a new contract, but he is unlikely to surpass Fisnik Asllani in the pecking order.
- Carlo Sickinger and Paul Stock were both ruled fit enough to travel to the VELTINS-Arena, so Arne Sicker is the away side's only injury concern.
- Prediction
Heidenheim are battling to avoid relegation back to the second tier after a challenging sophomore year in the Bundesliga.
Frank Schmidt’s side struggled to balance the physical burden of European football with the league in 2024/25, and ended the year three points adrift from safety.
FCH dug deep to find two wins and a draw in a three-match spell heading into the final day, but were hammered 4-1 at the Voith-Arena by an in-form Werder Bremen side in their final outing of the year.
Elversberg closed out a 2-1 victory against Schalke on the final day thanks to goals from Lukas Petkov and Maurice Neubauer, sealing their place in the promotion/relegation play-off ahead of Paderborn.
Horst Steffen’s club were only promoted to the second tier for the first time in 2023, and have a chance to emulate their hosts’ remarkable ascent up the German pyramid with a victory over two legs here.
The visitors are in strong form heading into the first leg, unbeaten in eight with three wins on the spin.
- LIVE Text Commentary90+4'The referee blows his whistle for the final time to end this match.90+3'Younes Ebnoutalib (Elversberg) makes a yard for himself on the edge of the box after picking up a pass, but produces a poor effort that sails high over the bar. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Heidenheim.903 additional min. will be played.89'It's time for a substitution. That's the last involvement from Fisnik Asllani as he is replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib (Elversberg).87'The total number of attempts is 22:12.86'Here is a change. Lukas Petkov is going off and Horst Steffen gives the last tactical orders to Frederik Schmahl (Elversberg).85'The game is interrupted now, Leo Scienza (Heidenheim) picks up a knock and the physio has to come on.85'Elias Baum (Elversberg) sends a teasing cross into the area, but Kevin Muller intercepts the ball.85'Maurice Neubauer (Elversberg) plays a through ball but overhits it.82'Close! Budu Zivzivadze (Heidenheim) picks up the ball in space and from inside the penalty area sends a shot narrowly over the bar. The ball goes out of play and Elversberg will have a goal kick.81'Heidenheim are seeing far more of the ball now.80'Leo Scienza (Heidenheim) floats the free kick into the box, but it's easily cleared by the first man.78'Horst Steffen has decided to make a change. Luca Schnellbacher (Elversberg) replaces Tom Zimmerschied.78'The referee stops play so that a substitution can be made and Robin Fellhauer departs the field of play to be replaced by Carlo Sickinger (Elversberg).77'Good work from Elversberg as they win a corner.77'Elias Baum (Elversberg) whips the ball into the penalty area, but one of the defenders is alert and spanks it away.76'Frank Schmidt has decided to introduce fresh legs, with Sirlord Conteh (Heidenheim) replacing Mathias Honsak.74'Frans Kratzig (Heidenheim) tries to play a long through ball into Mathias Honsak, but the defence breaks the move down.70'Frans Kratzig (Heidenheim) zig-zags his way into the box and drills a low shot towards the left post, but the goalkeeper pulls off a superb stop.64'Goal! Mathias Honsak (Heidenheim) was in the right place at the right time to get to the rebound inside the box and gleefully rifles the ball low inside the left post. It's 2:2.62'Goal! Tim Siersleben (Heidenheim) fires the rebound low into the middle of the goal after the ball breaks to him in the box. The score is 1:2.61'Maximilian Rohr (Elversberg) is obviously not following the Golden Rule: "Treat others as you want to be treated.“ He makes a bad challenge and leaves Sven Jablonski with no other option than to blow for a foul.61'Robin Fellhauer (Elversberg) is penalised after knocking an opponent down. A free kick has been awarded to Heidenheim.61'Sven Jablonski interrupts the game for a tactical foul by Paul Wanner (Heidenheim). Elversberg have a free kick.60'That's unlucky! Elias Baum (Elversberg) picks up the ball within his own half and goes on a mazy run before shooting from distance. The ball looks in all the way but rises at the last second and flies just over the bar. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Heidenheim.58'Heidenheim take a short corner kick.57'A sweeping move ends with a pass to Muhammed Damar (Elversberg) inside the box. He lets fly towards the bottom right corner, but Kevin Muller was watching it all the way and makes a comfortable save.55'Tom Zimmerschied (Elversberg) strikes the ball towards goal from distance, but it goes over the bar. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Heidenheim.54'Muhammed Damar (Elversberg) whips in a cross from the corner, but Kevin Muller is well positioned and punches the ball away.53'Elversberg failed to take advantage of the corner as the opposition's defence was alert and averted the threat.53'Fisnik Asllani (Elversberg) beats the defender to the lofted pass inside the box, but can't control his shot and it flashes high over the bar.52'Paul Wanner (Heidenheim) goes on a solo run, but he fails to create a chance as an opposition player blocks him.51'Omar Haktab Traore (Heidenheim) attempts to find one of his teammates inside the box with a chip pass, but one of the defending players reacts superbly and intercepts the ball.48'A lofted ball into the centre of the box is met with a forceful header by Muhammed Damar (Elversberg), but it flies narrowly wide of the left post. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Heidenheim.46'Frank Schmidt has decided to make a substitution during the half-time break. Leo Scienza comes on the pitch for Niklas Dorsch (Heidenheim).46'There will be a change on the pitch for the second half. Frank Schmidt probably wasn't satisfied with the performance of Marvin Pieringer. He is replaced by Budu Zivzivadze (Heidenheim).46'The need to improve in the second half has brought about a change. Adrian Beck (Heidenheim) comes off for Paul Wanner.46'The second half has just started.45+6'Sven Jablonski blows his whistle to signal the end of the first-half action.45+5'The referee looks satisfied after his VAR review and duly disallows the goal for offside. The Heidenheim players look gutted.45+4'Wait! Referee Sven Jablonski has indicated he is going to review the Heidenheim goal using VAR. It’s probably to see if there was an offside in the build-up.45+3'Omar Haktab Traore (Heidenheim) scores! He latches on to a pass and produces a perfect strike from the edge of the box that goes inside the left post and past the goalkeeper.45+2'Tim Siersleben (Heidenheim) gets to a rebound inside the penalty area, controls it with a nice touch and shoots towards the left post. However, the excellent Nicolas Kristof makes a save and thwarts the great opportunity.45We will have 3 min. of added time.42'Goal! Tom Zimmerschied plays a pass to the feet of Fisnik Asllani (Elversberg), and he shoots into the bottom right corner from inside the box. It's 0:2.41'Omar Haktab Traore (Heidenheim) tries to find Niklas Dorsch, but he puts too much power on the through ball.39'Omar Haktab Traore (Heidenheim) sends a cross into the box, but the opposition's defence clears the ball away to eliminate the danger.37'The defence successfully catches Frans Kratzig (Heidenheim) in the offside trap, but it was close!35'Tom Zimmerschied (Elversberg) does well inside the box to bring down a pass from Fisnik Asllani. He gets away a decent shot but it creeps just past the right post. The ball goes out of play and Heidenheim will have a goal kick.34'Maurice Neubauer (Elversberg) sends the ball into the penalty area from a free kick a few yards outside the box. The cross is good, but the goalkeeper shows himself in a good light as he leaps high to intercept the ball.33'Foul! Jan Schoppner (Heidenheim) is penalised for pulling back his opponent.32'Sven Jablonski blows his whistle as Muhammed Damar (Elversberg) used excessive force in the tackle during an attack.29'A fantastic block by a defender means that the corner from Heidenheim comes to nothing.29'Mathias Honsak (Heidenheim) receives a neat pass inside the box and instantly thumps the ball goalward, but a defender makes a last ditch block to deny him.28'Tim Siersleben (Heidenheim) breaks past challenges inside the box, but puts too much pace on his pass to Frans Kratzig. It's a throw-in for Elversberg.26'This yellow card was deserved. The tackle by Adrian Beck (Heidenheim) was quite harsh and Sven Jablonski didn't hesitate to show him a yellow card.25'Tim Siersleben (Heidenheim) gets to the rebound just outside the box, but his attempt is blocked by one of the defending players.25'The linesman makes the right call and Heidenheim will have a corner.25'Adrian Beck (Heidenheim) slaloms his way past challenges, but an opposing player does well to get the ball away.21'Superb touch by Mathias Honsak (Heidenheim) as he receives a precise pass into the box, but the goalkeeper stops the ball as it heads towards the top of the net. Brilliant save!20'The foul by Mathias Honsak (Heidenheim) was seen by Sven Jablonski who didn't hesitate to blow the whistle.18'Goal! Lukas Petkov (Elversberg) shows good awareness inside the box as he latches on to a brilliant pass and fires a first-time shot into the bottom right corner. Fisnik Asllani assisted in the goal. 0:1.17'What a big chance! Adrian Beck (Heidenheim) picks up an inch-perfect pass inside the box and fires the ball a whisker wide of the right post. The ball goes out of play and Elversberg will have a goal kick.14'Adrian Beck (Heidenheim) races towards goal but the defender gets back well to make a challenge. The ball is out of play. Elversberg will have a throw-in.12'Frans Kratzig (Heidenheim) plays a terrific long ball forward to Marvin Pieringer, but he can't beat his man and the move breaks down.11'Frans Kratzig (Heidenheim) is caught off guard a bit when the ball lands at his feet, causing him to rush a first-time shot that is easily blocked by an opposition player.10'The linesman points to the corner flag, Elversberg are going to take it.10'Tom Zimmerschied (Elversberg) latches on to a lovely pass inside the box and fires towards the left side of the net, but the effort is smothered by the keeper.9'Lukas Petkov (Elversberg) pulls the jersey of one of the opposition players and Sven Jablonski blows his whistle for a foul.8'Elversberg are enjoying a spell of pressure at the moment, but one of the defenders gets it clear. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Heidenheim.7'Marvin Pieringer (Heidenheim) makes his forward run a little too early and is caught in an offside position after his teammate tries to play a pass to him.6'Mathias Honsak almost gets into in a promising position, but the through ball by Frans Kratzig (Heidenheim) from just inside the box is intercepted by one of the defending players.4'Elversberg players are playing combination football and attempting to create a goal-scoring opportunity, but they will have to wait for that as they have just lost possession due to a poor pass.2'Niklas Dorsch (Heidenheim) goes down under a challenge in the box, but the ref immediately waves away the appeals from all players.1'Elversberg take the corner, but their hopes of scoring a goal end with a nice clearance by the defence.1'The first half of this match is about to start.The players are out at last! Elversberg will take the kick-off.The referee of today's match will be Sven Jablonski.Hello to all football fans, we are here to bring you a live commentary of the following match, describing all the most interesting and important moments. We'll make sure you won't miss a thing, so just sit back and have fun.