1. FC Heidenheim ended their negative run in the 2. Bundesliga with a spectacular 5-3 home win over Dynamo Dresden. The match this weekend finally brought three points back to the club from Ostwürttemberg after two consecutive defeats.
Manager Frank Schmidt's team had to come from behind twice during the game. Dynamo Dresden took the lead through Vincent Vermeij in the 30th minute. Heidenheim only managed to equalize after halftime, with Jan Schöppner scoring in the 67th minute. The match turned decisively when Dresden's Thomas Keller received a second yellow card in the 69th minute. Despite being a man down, Robert Wagner made it 2-1 for the visitors in the 73rd minute. An own goal by Friedrich Müller in the 77th minute brought Heidenheim back, before Oualid Mhamdi (87th), Julian Niehues (89th) and Maximilian Breunig (90+1) completed the turnaround. Jonas Sterner scored a consolation goal for Dresden in added time.
The first half was disappointing for the hosts. Dynamo Dresden controlled the game and deservedly took the lead. Goalkeeper Thomas Dähne, who was preferred to Frank Feller, could not prevent Vermeij's goal. Heidenheim rarely created dangerous attacks. The picture changed after the break. With more pressure and determination, Heidenheim pushed for an equalizer. Keller's late red card was a turning point, but the team's own improvement in the second half was key. The late goals demonstrated the physical strength and fighting spirit of the squad.
With these three points, Heidenheim improves their position in the current standings. Before the matchday, the club was in ninth place with three points from two games, one win and one loss. Their goal difference was minus two, with five scored and seven conceded. The gap to leaders Hertha BSC was six points. The victory over Dresden is an important step to stay in touch with the top half of the table. The recent form, with a win and a loss in the last two league games, is now positive. A detailed look at the table is available on our standings page.
Several players contributed to the important win. Jan Schöppner scored Heidenheim's first goal with his equalizer, giving the team renewed belief. Oualid Mhamdi put his team ahead for the first time in the 87th minute, which was psychologically huge. Julian Niehues and Maximilian Breunig secured the result with their late strikes. Goalkeeper Thomas Dähne justified his selection with several saves in the first half that prevented a larger deficit. The entire attack showed efficiency in the closing stages.
The focus now shifts completely to the next away fixture. On September 6, 2026, Heidenheim faces SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Fürth is currently in 17th place and just celebrated their first win of the season. For Heidenheim, it's a chance to carry the positive momentum and improve their away record. The injury list needs monitoring, with offensive players Christian Conteh and Sirlord Conteh currently sidelined. Plans for this match and all other fixtures can be viewed on our fixtures overview. The win against Dresden gives the team the necessary confidence for the tasks ahead.
