Heidenheim will play Copenhagen in the second leg of their Conference League elimination phase playoff on Thursday night, with a slim lead following victory in the first game.
A crucial matchup between German and Danish teams vying for a spot in the competition's round of 16 will take place at the Voith-Arena.
Heidenheim, who played in Bundesliga 2 as recently as the start of 2023, have seen a spectacular ascent to European prominence in the previous two years, and Thursday night's hosts are currently preparing a move for a spot in the round of 16 of UEFA's third-tier club tournament.
Focusing on domestic matters for a moment, FCH are currently enduring a six-game winless run in the Bundesliga, collecting just a single point across those fixtures. Their most recent match ended in a sobering 2-0 defeat at home to Champions League-chasing Mainz 05, further highlighting their struggles.
Heidenheim's only victory since the middle of January came last Thursday night at the Danish base of Copenhagen, where goals from Thomas Keller and Tim Siersleben completed a second-half turnaround after Jordan Larsson had given the hosts an early lead.
With just one win in their last 17 top-flight contests, Frank Schmidt's men have little chance of earning a return to European competition via their league position this season. Currently occupying 16th spot in the Bundesliga standings, FCH are only a point above bottom side Holstein Kiel, leaving them firmly entrenched in a relegation battle.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen, following nearly a two-month break from competitive action in the 2024-25 campaign, appeared to run out of steam in the second half against Heidenheim. This result means the Danish side now face an uphill task to advance to the last 16 of the Conference League when they visit Voith-Arena on Thursday night.
Byens Hold celebrated a crucial victory in their first Danish Superliga match of the new year, narrowly overcoming fellow top-six contenders Randers at Cepheus Park Randers. The win was largely attributed to a dominant first-half performance, which proved enough to secure the three points. This result marks a positive start to the year for the team as they aim to climb higher in the league standings.
Having relinquished their domestic title last season, Copenhagen now face a challenging battle to reclaim their position at the top of Danish football. Under the guidance of Jacob Neestrup, the team is currently tied on points with FC Midtjylland, who sit at the summit of the league. The competition remains fierce, and every match is critical in their quest to regain the championship.
Reflecting on their recent performances before the New Year, Byens Hold will be eager to avoid a repeat of their disappointing showing in the Conference League last December. A brace from Nikolaus Wurmbrand propelled Rapid Vienna to a resounding 3-0 victory over the Danish side, highlighting areas for improvement as they continue their campaign on both domestic and European fronts.
