Heidenheim faces HSV in South Tyrol training camp
The 1. FC Heidenheim meets Hamburger SV on Saturday at 13:30 CET in a South Tyrol training camp. For Frank Schmidt's side, the match is the next benchmark against genuine Bundesliga quality before turning attention to the 2. Bundesliga opener against VfL Osnabrück on August 1. The team comes off a 1‑1 draw with FC Bologna that offered valuable lessons.
What happened in the Bologna test?
Against Bologna, Heidenheim initially showed defensive frailties but took the lead after 21 minutes when Santiago Castro headed home. Marvin Pieringer capitalised on an Italian error in the 29th minute, retrieved the ball, curved around the keeper and equalised. Shortly after, Patrick Mainka struck the post with a header. Near the end, Adam Kölle saved a line‑ball while goalkeeper Frank Feller made several strong saves. Coach Frank Schmidt called the result decent, but stressed the need for more speed and aggression.
Why the HSV clash matters
HSV, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, brings pace, physicality and technical quality that Heidenheim must meet in camp. The match is less about the scoreline and more a gauge of whether the side has learned from its sluggish start against Bologna: quicker ball recovery, cleaner counters after possession wins and greater bite in duels. A solid performance could boost the confidence that is vital after the recent relegation to the 2. Liga.
What lies ahead?
After the HSV test, Heidenheim faces FC Ingolstadt on August 1, before the regular season begins with the fixture against VfL Osnabrück. The club seeks clarity rather than summer euphoria. The 2025 season record shows Heidenheim finished 17th in the Bundesliga with 26 points (6W‑8D‑20L), scoring 41 goals and conceding 72 (‑31 goal difference). The most recent result was a 0‑2 loss to FSV Mainz 05 on May 16 2026. Despite these numbers, the team is currently on a four‑game winning streak (WWWW). The HSV encounter will reveal if Heidenheim can carry this momentum into the new campaign.
