Heidenheim will be without injured strikers Budu Zivzivadze and Maximilian Breunig for their home match against Holstein Kiel on Sunday, head coach Frank Schmidt confirmed. Schmidt stated that Zivzivadze will definitely not be able to play due to illness, while Breunig is sidelined with a muscle fibre tear. The coach made the announcement ahead of the fixture scheduled for 13 September at 13:30 in the Voith-Arena.
Zivzivadze had scored the winning goal in Heidenheim’s 1-0 victory over SpVgg Greuther Fürth last Sunday but has been unwell throughout the week. Breunig picked up the injury in training and is also unavailable. Their absence removes two key attacking options ahead of a key match in the pursuit of the league leaders.
Heidenheim currently sit third in the 2. Bundesliga with nine points from four games, four points behind leaders 1. FC Nürnberg. The team has shown improved form with two consecutive wins, including the win in Fürth where Zivzivadze scored in the 12th minute. Prior to the Kiel game, the side had also kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Despite the setbacks, Schmidt is relying on squad depth, particularly the newly signed Alessandro Vogt, who joins on loan from TSG Hoffenheim and could earn his first start. The Swiss forward is expected to fill the void in attack and provide fresh impetus.
Holstein Kiel, meanwhile, occupy 17th place with just three points from four games and are still searching for their first win of the season. Heidenheim aim to extend their positive run and secure a third successive victory to increase pressure on the teams at the top. Match updates and further developments can be followed on our standings and fixtures pages.
