Feeble start costs Heidenheim in Istanbul

Frank Schmidt’s men made the trip to battle it out with İstanbul Başakşehir this afternoon. The Turkish club controlled large periods of the action to bag a 3-1 win.

Heidenheim endured a nightmare first-half in balmy Istanbul as the hosts opened the scoring in the 6th-minute. Paul Wanner was caught in possession and Krzysztof Piątek crossed for Deniz Türüc to convert at the back post. Başakşehir doubled their advantage when Piątek’s header was initially saved by Vitus Eicher but Miguel Crespo’s subsequent volley rattled the net. 

A furious Frank Schmidt hooked Paul Wanner and Maxi Breunig for Schöppner and Honsak midway through the half. Heidenheim’s manager evidently conceded that his tactical plan had fallen to pieces and required tinkering. Heidenheim almost cut the deficit approaching the break – a delightful cross from Theuerkauf was met by Schöppner who struck the bar. Luca Kerber’s attempted bicycle kick from the rebound sailed across goal harmlessly.

The second-half was marred by a nasty head clash between Piątek and Maloney which halted proceedings for a handful of minutes. But the game would quickly return to the melting pot when Heidenheim reduced the arrears just after the hour mark. Luca Kerber’s corner fell to Mathias Honsak who bundled it over the line thanks to some lapsed Başakşehir defending. 

Agonisingly for the 600 travelling fans, the hosts would restore their two-goal advantage in the 68th-minute. A delightful ball from Miguel Crespo picked out Piątek who secured his brace by threading it through Eicher’s legs. As if often the case, Heidenheim battled on to the bitter end, with Jonas Föhrenbach vital at both ends of the park. The German stung the palms of Sengezer before putting in a vital tackle to deny Piątek of a hattrick.