Marnon Busch has packed a significant dose of pragmatism for the trip to Turkey. “It’s actually quite simple,” the full-back responds when asked how the 1. FC Heidenheim team is dealing with their currently poor results and what their short-term goals are leading up to the winter break.
“Gather as many points as possible,” the football professional states succinctly, adding, “But I will only think about that once the referee has blown the final whistle. We will take care of everything else afterwards.”
Heidenheim is set to visit Istanbul Basaksehir FK for their fifth appearance in the group stage of the Conference League. A win on Thursday (December 12, 2024, at 18:45, available via audio livestream at swr.de/sport) could see the Bundesliga side take a significant step towards the knockout phase. Given the dire negative spiral that the FCH is experiencing, this would be more than just a relief measure.
Especially due to the ongoing events in the league, Heidenheim finds themselves in the most strained sporting situation in years. With just one point from the last eight matches, they have plummeted to 16th place in the standings, making their second Bundesliga season significantly more challenging than the first. Coach Frank Schmidt rightly points to the esteemed names of their recent opponents, such as Bayern Munich (2-4), Eintracht Frankfurt (0-4), and reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen (2-5).
While in the Conference League, Heidenheim has only failed to secure a victory against Chelsea. It is clear that the club from the Ostalb region is in dire need of a successful experience. Their last win was on November 7, when they achieved a 2-0 victory in the Conference League against Heart of Midlothian. Interestingly, it is the European competition where Heidenheim has performed best this season: after four matchdays, they boast three victories, with only a loss against Premier League top club Chelsea (0-2). Can the FCH gain momentum in the football capital of Istanbul for forthcoming challenges?
“Indeed, everyone in the world knows the passion that the Turks have for football. But we are also vigorously supported by around 600 fans from Heidenheim, which is truly amazing,” says Busch. “We can be proud of that, and that’s why we will do everything to ensure that the spark jumps to our fans.”
Similarly, Coach Schmidt assesses the situation: “This is our first year playing internationally, and each of the six matches is special. Just look at the media presence to see what an importance football has in Turkey and this city. We are simply happy to be part of it.”
Speaking of Schmidt: the man responsible for the broader sporting agenda in Heidenheim, who previously allowed himself to glance at the impending match against Frankfurt before the Chelsea game, now demands “full focus” on their international appearance. Thoughts about the 14th matchday against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday (15:30)? Not this time.
The team that will take the field against Istanbul has “not thought at all” about the Swabian derby next weekend. This, too, is a form of pragmatism.
