Despite having looked destined to drop out of the division as recently as Matchday 30, Heidenheim have given themselves a chance of reaching the Bundesliga relegation play-off spot ahead of their final game of 2025/26, putting them within touching distance of a remarkable survival story.
Heidenheim’s Matchday 33 win over Cologne saw them climb off the bottom of the table and into 17th, with that result putting all three of the bottom teams on 26 points.
Heidenheim’s goal difference (-29) is equal to that of rock bottom St. Pauli and not far behind 16th-placed Wolfsburg’s (-26), meaning there’s every chance that Frank Schmidt’s side can nick the relegation play-off spot on the final day.
Having successfully navigated a play-off win against Elversberg at the end of last season to remain in the Bundesliga, Heidenheim will be confident of doing so again should they managed to climb out of the bottom two on Matchday 34.
Watch: Cologne 1-3 Heidenheim
The final day of the 2025/26 campaign will see Heidenheim face Mainz at home, while Pauli and Wolfsburg will go head-to-head in the fight for survival. A win would therefore throw Schmidt’s men into 16th, if Pauli and Wolfsburg draw.
Were they to beat Mainz and if Pauli were to win their game, Heidenheim would need to outscore the Kiezkickers to ensure they better their relegation rivals on goal difference. The same can be said if Wolfsburg win that game, although they already hold a three-goal advantage in regard to goal difference, making it unlikely but not impossible.
A draw wouldn’t suit Heidenheim, even if the other game were to end all square, as they wouldn’t be able to better Wolfsburg’s goal difference.
While Heidenheim’s fans will be sweating over their club’s Bundesliga future in the coming week, the fact they’re able to do so is an achievement in itself. For a while, even a play-off spot seemed an unlikely goal, as they sat eight points off Werder Bremen in 16th after Matchday 24, and nine points away from outright safety. Three weeks later, Pauli had dropped into 16th, but by that point Heidenheim were nine points adrift of a play-off spot.
As recently as Matchday 30, they were seven points away from even being given the opportunity to fight for their spot in the division, as they remained rooted to the bottom of the table.
However, after collecting seven points from the last nine available and losing just once in their last seven games, they’re in with a chance of pulling off a great escape going into the final day having capitalised on the struggles of those around them.
Their recent win over Cologne followed an outstanding performance against champions Bayern Munich, where they led 3-2 until the 10th minute of additional time when Michael Olise struck a hammer blow.
Watch: Bayern Munich 3-3 Heidenheim
“Let’s be honest. What do we have left to lose after weeks of this? Absolutely nothing – not even today,” said Schmidt ahead of their triumph over the Billy Goats, a sentiment his side will no doubt carry into their final fixture.
Heidenheim have therefore played their part in setting up a thrilling final matchday at the bottom end of the table, a fight they didn’t think they’d be in just a few weeks back. Great escape? Why not!
Comments are closed.