After 1. FC Heidenheim surrendered a 2-0 lead to Bayer Leverkusen, resulting in a 5-2 defeat, head coach Frank Schmidt provided insights into the loss. He primarily attributed the outcome to the interruption caused by striker Marvin Pieringer's injury.
Pieringer, the team's leading goal-scorer, will be sidelined for at least the upcoming UEFA Conference League match on Thursday. Despite recent successes in the Conference League against Hearts and Pafos FC, Heidenheim's performance in domestic competitions has been disappointing. The team has not secured a league victory since defeating Mainz at the end of December.
Currently, Heidenheim is just two points above the relegation playoff position after earning only one point from matches against teams like Leipzig, Gladbach, Hoffenheim, Kiel, Wolfsburg, and Leverkusen. The upcoming schedule includes challenging fixtures against Frankfurt, Bayern, and Stuttgart, alongside a recent cup loss to Hertha.
In a post-match interview, Schmidt highlighted Pieringer's early exit in the 28th minute as a pivotal moment that shifted the game's momentum. Following his substitution, Leverkusen quickly equalized, scoring two goals within four minutes. Schmidt noted, "The game changed after the injury," emphasizing that the team lost its initial momentum.
Schmidt expressed concerns about the team's mentality, stating, "We're missing the bit between our teeth," and acknowledged a lack of defensive presence after Pieringer's injury. He remarked, "This absolute will to win every duel that I saw at the beginning wasn't there anymore," indicating a loss of confidence among the players.
Concluding his remarks, Schmidt reiterated that the brief interruption allowed Leverkusen to regroup and ultimately led to Heidenheim's defeat, stating, "We don't have an excuse for losing, but we did have it right at the beginning."
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