Werder Bremen beats Heidenheim in the Bundesliga in the last game of the season
Heidenheim missed out on automatic relegation and will have to go into the relegation play-offs. The FCH lost a clear 4-1 defeat to Werder Bremen on Saturday, who played a good away game, especially in the first half, and are ending the season with a great run.
Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt made two substitutions after the 3-0 win at Union Berlin . Müller returned to goal, replacing Feller. Honsak also started for the ill Krätzig.
Bremen coach Ole Werner made only one change to his starting eleven compared to the 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig : Grüll played for the injured Burke (bruised foot).
Schmid ice-cold from the penalty spot – Stage scores from a corner
Bremen didn’t have much left to play for in terms of football, but the visitors made it clear from the start that they had nothing to give away. Stage had the first big chance of the game, shooting just wide to the right from 16 meters (2′). Heidenheim naturally started the game very offensively, but initially didn’t create any significant chances. SVW repeatedly had space on the break and took advantage of it: Grüll was hit in the penalty area by Gimber – penalty. Schmid stepped up and not Ducksch, who had missed his last penalty. The Austrian coolly slotted home a shot into the bottom left corner (14′).
That was a powerful goal for FCH, who subsequently struggled enormously. Werder Bremen showed the confidence they’ve shown in recent weeks (seven matches without defeat) and played a truly impressive away game. And SVW were ice-cold: Ducksch’s corner landed at Stage, who won the aerial duel against Schöppner and headed the ball into the left corner (33′). Heidenheim lacked much offensively – and since nothing came of it except for Beck’s harmless shots (both in the 42′), the northern Germans went into the dressing room with a deserved 2-0 lead.
Four substitutions at Heidenheim – Ducksch scores
What Schmidt thought of his team’s performance in the first half became clear after the break, as the coach needed four fresh players in Niehues, Zivzivadze, Scienza, and Kerber. And it paid off. Shortly after the restart, Wanner had a great chance to make it 1-2 following Zetterer’s mistake, but he shot over from 16 meters (47′). Shortly after, Scienza also came close, hitting the left post (49′). FCH stayed close, but SVW keeper Zetterer cleared Scienza’s free kick from the top corner (52′), and the substitute’s curling shot, which immediately caused a stir, went just wide to the right (57′).
Werder struggled in the first quarter of an hour after the break, but then had a good chance through Ducksch, with Mainka throwing himself in front of the goal (61′). And the visitors stayed on the attack – and increased their lead: In a counter-attack, Weiser passed to Ducksch, who fired a fine shot over Müller from 16 meters (66′). Heidenheim, however, complained because referee Welz was hit by the ball in the run-up to the goal. However, the referee allowed Bremen’s attack to continue. Welz had significantly changed the direction of the ball, which should have been called for a referee’s ball.
Despite the clear deficit, Heidenheim didn’t give up, and Kerber headed in a Scienza corner to make it 3-1 (80′). However, it didn’t take long for Bremen to restore the lead, with Topp, who had just been substituted on, scoring from close range to make it 4-1 (86′). Shortly before the final whistle, Zetterer was on hand to deny Kerber again, deflecting the ball onto the post and preventing a second goal (89′).For Werder Bremen, who end the season with an eight-match unbeaten streak (five wins, three draws), the season is over after this match, and only two friendlies remain. The first of these will take place on May 21 (7 p.m.) against SV Meppen. Heidenheim will enter the relegation play-offs, which begin with the first leg at their home Voith Arena on May 22 (8:30 p.m.). The opponent has not yet been determined.
