2. Bundesliga
The 2024/25 Bundesliga relegation/promotion play-off remains on a knife edge after Heidenheim came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with second-tier side Elversberg in the first leg on Thursday.
Heidenheim 2-2 Elversberg
Goals: 0-1 Petkov 18’ (assist: Asllani), 0-2 Asllani 42’ (assist: Zimmerschied), 1-2 Siersleben 62‘, 2-2 Honsak 64‘
After two contrasting seasons, both sides came into the game looking for a win that would set them up nicely for the second leg. Heidenheim had disappointed in the Bundesliga after the highs of last season, finishing 16th, whereas Elversberg had defied expectations at every turn to finish third in Bundesliga 2, and came into the game full of confidence after going unbeaten in their previous eight matches.
Elversberg began the game in nervy fashion as they threw players forward, but struggled to maintain possession. This gave Niklas Dorsch a huge opportunity to open the scoring on the counter-attack just two minutes in, but the Heidenheim man made a mess of his one-on-one chance.
In the 18th minute, Lukas Petkov stunned the home crowd, firing a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner to give Elversberg the lead. The visitors continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded just before half-time. Fisnik Asllani, Elversberg's top scorer in Bundesliga 2, doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute with a clinical finish, sending the underdogs into the break with a seemingly commanding 2-0 lead.
Heidenheim manager Frank Schmidt responded to the first-half setback with a triple substitution at half-time, bringing on Léo Scienza, Paul Wanner, and Budu Zivzivadze.
The changes had an immediate impact, with Heidenheim looking rejuvenated and pressing for a way back into the match. Their persistence paid off in the 62nd minute when Tim Siersleben capitalised on a rebound from a Scienza free-kick to pull a goal back for the hosts.
The comeback was complete just two minutes later, as Mathias Honsak pounced on another rebound from a Scienza shot to level the scores at 2-2, sending the Voith-Arena into raptures.
After the equaliser, the game rather settled down as both sides started to tire. Heidenheim continued to send players forward looking for a winner, but to no avail as Elversberg's defence held strong.
The visitors maintained a threat on the counter, but they too were unable to create any real chances. In the end, both sides appeared to somewhat settle for a draw, meaning it will be a winner-takes-all match in the decisive second leg in Elversberg on Monday.
Scienza's introduction at half-time proved to be the catalyst for Heidenheim's comeback. The Brazilian midfielder's impact was immediate and significant, providing the creative spark that had been missing in the first half.
Scienza won and then took the free-kick that led directly to Siersleben's goal, before working space for the shot that caused the equaliser just two minutes later. His overall performance helped shift the momentum in Heidenheim's favour. His vision, passing, and ability to drive forward with the ball caused constant problems for the Elversberg defence.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Heidenheim 3.18 - Elversberg 2.0
Fastest player: Robin Fellhauer (Elversberg), 33.96 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Lukas Petkov (Elversberg), 19.74 percent
Most pressed player: Fisnik Asllani (Elversberg), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Carlo Sickinger (Elversberg), +2.59