Hertha Vs Heidenheim

On Wednesday, Hertha Berlin, currently holding sixth place in the German second division, will host Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim at the Olympiastadion in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. The match presents an exciting test for Hertha as they aim to gauge their progress against top-tier competition.

Heidenheim, sitting 10th in the Bundesliga and buoyed by a decisive first-round win over Villingen, are keen to showcase their first-division caliber against an inspired Hertha Berlin squad.

Match Preview

Hertha Berlin enter this DFB-Pokal clash with growing momentum after winning their last three matches across all competitions. Their tournament journey began on a high note with a commanding 5-1 victory over Hansa Rostock in the first round.

Under the guidance of new manager Cristian Fiel, appointed in June, Hertha have found their rhythm, steadily climbing to sixth place in the second division standings, just three points shy of the top spot. Although the season started sluggishly, Fiel has overseen a remarkable turnaround that has brought consistency to Hertha’s game. The emphatic win over Hansa Rostock marked a turning point, sparking a run of seven victories in their last 10 outings.

Hertha's DFB-Pokal history includes two runner-up finishes, and with an appetite for a deeper run, the Berlin-based team is looking to outdo their previous best. Last season’s quarter-final exit to Kaiserslautern left them with “unfinished business” in the competition, and current form suggests they’re poised to make another strong showing.

Adding to their confidence, Hertha have a favorable home record against Heidenheim, including a memorable 2-0 victory in the 2016 DFB-Pokal quarter-final, where Vedad Ibisevic netted twice to secure their place in the final four. The Berlin fans are hopeful that their team’s promising form and historical success in this fixture will carry them through to the next round.

Heidenheim's Perspective

Heidenheim, on the other hand, arrive at the Olympiastadion determined to make a mark in the DFB-Pokal as they juggle Bundesliga duties with their inaugural European campaign in the UEFA Conference League, earned through their eighth-place finish last season.

Now in their second Bundesliga season, Heidenheim have proven their resilience in Germany's top division, currently holding 10th place. However, recent form has been mixed; the team has secured just one win in their last four matches, a narrow Conference League triumph over Pafos, which has injected much-needed confidence despite an inconsistent domestic spell.

Under the long-serving Frank Schmidt, Heidenheim have had an overall solid Bundesliga campaign, though recent league results—such as a goalless draw with Hoffenheim—highlight challenges in maintaining momentum. Nonetheless, the Pokal represents a golden opportunity for Heidenheim to add to their trophy ambitions and make a significant statement