Heidenheim 1846 suffer 1-3 defeat to HSV in final pre-season clash
1. FC Heidenheim 1846 ended their pre-season training camp with a 1-3 loss to Bundesliga side Hamburger SV. The match, played in front of 1,000 spectators at SV Kematen’s sports facility in South Tyrol, saw the FCH concede three goals after a competitive opening half.
What happened on the pitch?
The game began evenly, but HSV applied early pressure. Oualid Mhamdi made a crucial clearance from a Hamburg counter in the 12th minute. Heidenheim’s best chance of the first half came via Patrick Mainka in the 31st minute after a corner, though an HSV defender cleared off the line. Just before half-time, Anders Grønbæk converted a controversial penalty to make it 0-1.
The second half started poorly for Heidenheim. Rayan Philippe exploited a long ball to make it 2-0 (49.). The FCH responded quickly. Mhamdi struck from 19 metres, his shot deflected in to pull one back (55.). But Daka restored the two-goal cushion within two minutes (57.). Late chances from Julian Niehues and Mainka went begging against Daniel Heuer Fernandes, and the final score remained 1-3.
Frank Schmidt’s blunt assessment: „Football is a game of mistakes“
After the match, Schmidt was uncompromising. The first half had been balanced, yet both sides defended well and created few clear chances. „We get played to and the goal is empty – that’s when you can go ahead,“ he said. In the second period, the FCH lacked physicality and struggled in duels. „Hamburg stood up much better and were smarter in the challenges,“ Schmidt added.
Heidenheim in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season
Heidenheim began the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign in 17th place with 26 points from 34 games and a goal difference of -31 (41 scored, 72 conceded). Their last competitive outing ended in a 0-2 loss to FSV Mainz 05 on 16 May 2026. Their recent form reads two wins and two defeats in the last four games (LLWW).
