1. FC Heidenheim Faces FC Copenhagen in UEFA Conference League Playoff Without Key Defender
- FC Heidenheim will be without Jonas Föhrenbach in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff match against FC Copenhagen. The left-back took a ball to the face in the team’s 0-1 Bundesliga loss at SC Freiburg and is yet to recover fully, according to FCH coach Frank Schmidt.
For Heidenheim, who are battling relegation in the Bundesliga, the match at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital is crucial as they aim to lay a solid foundation for a berth in the round of 16. Schmidt stated that the team’s objective is to achieve a result that provides "hope, but also belief" heading into the second leg on February 20 (18:45 CET/Nitro) at the Heidenheimer Voith-Arena.
In addition to their European aspirations, the FCH is also seeking to boost their confidence for their Bundesliga survival fight, where they currently occupy the relegation playoff spot. "Our primary goal is to remain in the Bundesliga, no question about it," Schmidt emphasized. However, he believes their chances of securing victory at home against FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday will be enhanced if they deliver a strong performance in Copenhagen.
Schmidt specifically cautioned his team about the hosts’ potent attack. FC Copenhagen boasts a formidable attacking force led by Andreas Cornelius, a former FC Bayern Munich striker, and Kamil Wilczek, Poland’s all-time top scorer in international competitions. "They have a lot of experience and dangerous individuals up front," Schmidt said. "We need to be extremely focused on defending well and not giving them any easy chances."
Heidenheim, who secured a place in the playoff round by finishing second in their group stage behind Villarreal, will need to be at their best to overcome the challenge of FC Copenhagen. The Danish club has a strong record in European competition, having reached the UEFA Champions League group stage on several occasions and winning the UEFA Europa League in 2019.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Schmidt exuded confidence in his team’s abilities. "We have shown throughout the season that we can compete with the top teams," he said. "We will go into the match with belief and determination to get a positive result."
The first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff will kick off on Thursday, February 16, at 21:00 CET (RTL). The second leg will take place on February 20 at the Heidenheimer Voith-Arena, with kickoff set for 18:45 CET (Nitro).
