Frank Schmidt concedes substitution error after Heidenheim Conference League elimination

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·21 Februari 2025

Frank Schmidt concedes substitution error after Heidenheim Conference League elimination

FC Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt’s mood hasn’t improved much since the last time he had to comment on a defeat involving his team. In fact, Thursday’s elimination from the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference league hit much harder. For all Heidenheim’s league woes, they entered the second leg of the playoff with FC Copenhagen up 2-1 after snatching an away win last Thursday.

The Danish guests traveled to the Voith Arena and pushed extra time with a 2-1 lead after 90 minutes. A 114th minute goal saw Copenhagen win 3-1 and advance 3-2 on aggregate. Schmidt – full of disappointment and shame – took responsibility for a substitution error at the post-match press conference.

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It was none other than future Borussia Mönchengladbach fullback Kevin Diks who put Copenhagen ahead 2-0 in the 53rd. FCH sub Leonardo Scienza pulled a goal back in the 74th. Norman Theuerkauf – subbed on one minute before the third Copenhagen goal – looked out-of-sync on Rodrigo Huescas’ strike that made it 3-1.

“I have to admit that I made a mistake,” Schmidt remarked at the press conference. “I shouldn’t have made the last substitution because we were actually standing well at the back with ‘Honsi’ [Mathias Honsak working in defense]. We should have kept it that way.” “This story could have had a much different ending,” Schmidt concluded with no shortage of deflation. “I can’t even think about it. The disappointment is too much.”

GGFN | Peter Weis