VfL’s hopes of qualifying for Europe were dealt a blow on Saturday afternoon as 1. FC Heidenheim triumphed 1-0 at the Volkswagen Arena to extend the Wolves’ winless run to three matches. After a promising start, the Green-and-Whites shot themselves in the foot when Joakim Maehle conceded a 14th-minute penalty, which was converted by Marvin Pieringer. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s charges struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities after falling behind and only began to increase the pressure on their opponents in the latter stages – but they were unable to find an equaliser. The defeat leaves VfL in ninth place in the Bundesliga table.
MORE FACTS AND FIGURES
The Wolves have only won three of their 14 Bundesliga home matches so far this season. They have won over twice as many games on their travels (seven).
- The 1-0 defeat stretches VfL’s winless run on home soil to five matches.
- Heidenheim, meanwhile, have now won back-to-back Bundesliga games and are unbeaten in their last three – their longest run without defeat in the top flight this season.
- The Green-and-Whites conceded from a set play for the 15th time this term (two free-kicks, ten corners, three penalties) – a Bundesliga high.
- Fit-again Kevin Paredes was included in the Wolves’ matchday squad for the first time this season. The 21-year-old was named on the VfL bench but did not make an appearance.
- VfL fans named Kamil Grabara as their Man of the Match on Saturday. The Wolves goalkeeper received 53 per cent of the vote, with Patrick Wimmer finishing second on 20 per cent and substitute Lukas Nmecha coming third with 12 per cent.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- Attempts: VfL 11 – FCH 11
- Distance covered: VfL 125.03 km – FCH 127.87 km
- Possession: VfL 61% – FCH 39%
- Challenges won: VfL 46% – FCH 54%
- Pass completion rate: VfL 82% – FCH 73%
- Dribble success rate: VfL 30% – FCH 53%
- Fastest player: Tiago Tomas (VfL) 33.83 km/h – Jan Schöppner (FCH) 31.79 km/h
- Most distance covered: Joakim Maehle (VfL) 12.8 km – Jan Schöppner (FCH) 13.5 km
