Alongside FC Ingolstadt and 1. FC Nuremburg, 1. FC Heidenheim are one of the three second-division sides left in this year's DFB Pokal. But on Wednesday (20:45 CET), a tough challenge in the form of last season's finalists Eintracht Frankfurt awaits FCH.
It is a first for both teams, as they have never faced each other in a competitive match. Despite the difference in class, the encounter will not be an easy one for Eintracht. “We know that a tough game awaits us in Heidenheim,” said Frankfurt coach Niko Kovac. “My friend Frank Schmidt has been doing a good job there for a few years now, but obviously, we want to advance to the next round.” Eintracht sporting director Fredi Bobic shared his coach’s opinion: “Heidenheim are an established second-division side that cannot be underestimated because of how resolute they are.”
Heidenheim in the round of 16 for the second time
It is the second time in the club’s history that Heidenheim are in the Pokal round of 16. In the 2015/16 season, FCH beat Erzgebirge Aue 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals. However, they did not make it any further, losing 3-2 to Hertha BSC in the following fixture.
SGE have only lost one of their last eight DFB Cup games – that was last season's final against Borussia Dortmund (2-1). Aside from this, they won on four occasions in normal time and needed penalty kicks four times. Also, Eintracht have triumphed in their last four Cup games against second-division outfits. Two of these victories came last season as they knocked out Hannover 96 (2-1) and Arminia Bielefeld (1-0). Their last defeat to a second-division team was suffered in the 2012/13 season in the first round against Erzgebirge Aue (3-0).
Frankfurt with a positive record against second-division opposition
Eintracht’s head-to-head record against second-division teams in the round of 16 is almost spotless. The only time they have been eliminated by a team from the 2. Bundesliga at this stage was in the 2010/11 season against Alemannia Aachen. They won their other eleven round-of-16 ties against second-division sides, drawing once. In the 1990/91 season, Frankfurt and Saarbrücken could not be separated after 120 minutes of football, but they progressed to the next round after the subsequent replay.
1. FC Heidenheim have faced Bundesliga opposition seven times in the DFB Pokal. The only time the team from Swabia came out on top was when they knocked out Werder Bremen in the first round in the 2011/12 season (2-1).
Alongside FC Ingolstadt and 1. FC Nuremburg, 1. FC Heidenheim are one of the three second-division sides left in this year's DFB Pokal. But on Wednesday (20:45 CET), a tough challenge in the form of last season's finalists Eintracht Frankfurt awaits FCH.
It is a first for both teams, as they have never faced each other in a competitive match. Despite the difference in class, the encounter will not be an easy one for Eintracht. “We know that a tough game awaits us in Heidenheim,” said Frankfurt coach Niko Kovac. “My friend Frank Schmidt has been doing a good job there for a few years now, but obviously, we want to advance to the next round.” Eintracht sporting director Fredi Bobic shared his coach’s opinion: “Heidenheim are an established second-division side that cannot be underestimated because of how resolute they are.”
Heidenheim in the round of 16 for the second time
It is the second time in the club’s history that Heidenheim are in the Pokal round of 16. In the 2015/16 season, FCH beat Erzgebirge Aue 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals. However, they did not make it any further, losing 3-2 to Hertha BSC in the following fixture.
SGE have only lost one of their last eight DFB Cup games – that was last season's final against Borussia Dortmund (2-1). Aside from this, they won on four occasions in normal time and needed penalty kicks four times. Also, Eintracht have triumphed in their last four Cup games against second-division outfits. Two of these victories came last season as they knocked out Hannover 96 (2-1) and Arminia Bielefeld (1-0). Their last defeat to a second-division team was suffered in the 2012/13 season in the first round against Erzgebirge Aue (3-0).
Frankfurt with a positive record against second-division opposition
Eintracht’s head-to-head record against second-division teams in the round of 16 is almost spotless. The only time they have been eliminated by a team from the 2. Bundesliga at this stage was in the 2010/11 season against Alemannia Aachen. They won their other eleven round-of-16 ties against second-division sides, drawing once. In the 1990/91 season, Frankfurt and Saarbrücken could not be separated after 120 minutes of football, but they progressed to the next round after the subsequent replay.
1. FC Heidenheim have faced Bundesliga opposition seven times in the DFB Pokal. The only time the team from Swabia came out on top was when they knocked out Werder Bremen in the first round in the 2011/12 season (2-1).
