Conference League | Knockout Round Playoffs | 2nd Leg

Feb 20, 2025 at 5.45pm UK

Voith-Arena

Heidenheim vs Copenhagen

(agg: 2-1)

Match preview

Plying their trade in the 2. Bundesliga as recently as the start of the season, Heidenheim have enjoyed a remarkable rise to European prominence over the past two years, and Thursday night's hosts are now chasing a place in the last 16 of UEFA's third-tier club competition.

Turning to the domestic scene, FCH are currently on a six-game winless run in the Bundesliga, picking up just one point in that time, with their most recent outing ending in a sobering 2-0 home defeat to Champions League hopefuls Mainz 05.

Heidenheim's only win since mid-January came in Copenhagen last Thursday night, when goals from Thomas Keller and Tim Siersleben completed a second-half comeback after Jordan Larsson had opened the scoring in the first period.

Having won just one of their last 17 top-flight matches, Frank Schmidt's men have little chance of earning their way back into Europe via the league this term, with FCH currently sitting in 16th place in the Bundesliga, just one point above bottom side Holstein Kiel.

After almost two months away from competitive action, Copenhagen ran out of steam in the second half against Heidenheim last time out, meaning that Thursday night's visitors to the Voith-Arena will have their work cut out to reach the last 16 of the Conference League.

Byens Hold enjoyed a much-needed success in their first Danish Superliga match of the new calendar year, edging past fellow top-six contenders Randers at Cepheus Park Randers thanks to a convincing first-half display.

Having lost their grip on the domestic crown last season, Copenhagen face a real battle to regain control of the Danish title, with Jacob Neestrup's men currently level on points with FC Midtjylland at the top of the table.

Looking ahead to the New Year, Byens Hold will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their last outing in the Conference League in December, when a brace from Nikolaus Wurmbrand helped Rapid Vienna to a 3-0 win over the Danish giants.

Recent Performance

Heidenheim Conference League form:WWLLDW

Heidenheim form (all competitions):LLLLWL

Copenhagen Conference League form:DDWWLL

Copenhagen form (all competitions):WWWLLW

Team News

Heidenheim will be without defensive midfielder Niklas Dorsch, who suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen in January.

The 38-year-old was taken off at half-time last Thursday and is unlikely to start the return leg at the Voith-Arena.

Swedish youngster Roony Bardghji, who made a difference in last season's Champions League campaign, has been ruled out of Copenhagen with a serious knee problem.

There are also minor fitness problems ahead of Thursday's crunch clash, with Byens Hold stars Lukas Lerager and Nicolai Boilesen both doubtful.

Possible starting lineup

Heidenheim possible starting lineup:

Feller; Busch, Mainka, Siersleben, Traore; Keller, Conteh, Wanner, Niehues, Scienza; Honsak

Copenhagen possible starting lineup:

Ramaj; Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez; Froholdt, Delaney, Mattsson; Larsson, Robert, Claesson