1. FC Heidenheim faces a turbulent start to the season with clear defensive issues and a new attacking player in focus. Coach Frank Schmidt urgently demands better defensive work, while the loan of striker Alessandro Vogt from TSG Hoffenheim is confirmed.
After conceding twelve goals in the first three competitive matches, Frank Schmidt is forced to make fundamental corrections. The coach said that the current record is "unacceptable" and must be improved urgently. The defeats against Jeddeloh II in the DFB-Pokal and against Hertha BSC in the league particularly exposed the weaknesses.
This week's training sessions therefore focused on defensive stability and better duel behavior. Schmidt emphasized this is the "fundamental basis" for the entire team play. He hopes new signing Michael Heule, who arrived from FC Thun, can be quickly integrated on the left defensive side. The team currently sits in fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga with six points but has an even goal difference of ten scored and ten conceded.
1. FC Heidenheim has loaned young attacker Alessandro Vogt from TSG Hoffenheim. The 21-year-old Swiss moves to the 2. Bundesliga for the entire season. Vogt only joined Hoffenheim from FC St. Gallen for 2.7 million euros in the summer but currently finds no perspective there.
Licensed team director Paul Pajduch justified the move with Hoffenheim's personnel situation and Vogt's need for regular playing time. The striker is supposed to gain experience in German professional football at Heidenheim. His transfer became necessary because the planned move of Fisnik Asllani to RB Leipzig fell through. Vogt impressed last season with 18 goals in 41 appearances for St. Gallen.
The signing of Alessandro Vogt brings fresh impetus to 1. FC Heidenheim's attack. A conversation with coach Frank Schmidt was decisive for the player's decision. Vogt sees Heidenheim as the "perfect stepping stone" to prove himself in German professional football.
The club has already lost several key players like Benedikt Gimber, Niklas Dorsch, Eren Dinkçi and Marvin Pieringer in this transfer period. The attack is now to be strengthened by Vogt, who is considered a promising talent. Heidenheim is three points behind league leaders 1. FC Nürnberg in the table and must face the next challenges without the injured Christian Conteh and Sirlord Conteh.
Coach Frank Schmidt hinted that further movements are possible until the end of the transfer period next Tuesday. "Many things can still happen," said the 52-year-old. The club will try to "implement what is possible."
This statement leaves room for speculation about possible further reinforcements. The defensive problems might require additional personnel decisions. The current squad overview can be found on our squad page. First, however, the team focuses on the next league match.
The focus now is on the next competitive match on September 6, 2026, against SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The away game against the seventh-placed team presents the next challenge for the still unbalanced team. All upcoming fixtures can be found in our fixtures calendar.
Frank Schmidt must quickly implement his defensive corrections to maintain the positive position in the table. The current form with two wins and one loss from the first three games provides a solid foundation. The match against Fürth will show if this week's training sessions have taken effect. Detailed statistics for the season's progress are available on our stats page.
