Heidenheimer Coach Demands Performance Boost After Conference League Elimination

Heidenheim, Germany — After being eliminated from the Conference League with a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to FC Copenhagen, coach Frank Schmidt urges his team to deliver better performances as they face relegation battles in the Bundesliga.

The elimination came after extra time on Thursday, further complicating their already tough challenge against RB Leipzig on Sunday. Schmidt, acknowledging the situation, stated, “It’s a very difficult situation for us right now.” The coach is tasked with assessing the physical condition of his players in a little over a day.

The emotional toll of losing once again adds to Schmidt’s worries as his team enters a critical stretch of league matches. “We need to make sure we show up mentally and emotionally ready for the next match,” he added. “We have to ensure we are an unpleasant opponent for Leipzig.”

He spoke candidly about the team’s recent struggles, highlighting a concerning trend of mistakes leading to defeats. Compounding their misery, Schmidt noted that during the match against Copenhagen, they had controlling spells before slipping into a passive state.

When asked about the players’ mindset after continuous losses, Schmidt commented, “We have to be extremely focused to become a tough opponent. There’s no use in saying we can win by just showing up.”

Despite the disappointing European run, Schmidt sees a silver lining in full focus on Bundesliga survival. “We can now prepare normally for critical games against Hoffenheim and Kiel; the double burden is behind us,” he said.

The upcoming clash against Leipzig, a team vying for Champions League qualification, is crucial for Heidenheim, who sits in the relegation zone. A surprise point against Leipzig could inject some much-needed confidence ahead of their upcoming domestic fixtures.

In recent weeks, Schmidt has observed that his team has been experiencing a drought of luck, which has been accompanied by poor decision-making on the pitch. “Initially, you have no luck, then comes the bad luck as well,” he lamented, referencing the team’s challenging luck this season.

As they prepare for their away trip to Leipzig, Schmidt emphasized the need for his squad to find energy. “We must find a way to harness our emotions and physicality to put in a solid performance,” he remarked. The coach’s objective is clear: to lift Heidenheim out of the relegation zone and ensure they can survive in the Bundesliga.