Heidenheim posed Chelsea with problems throughout, only to lose their first Conference League match - with former Bundesliga pair Christopher Nkunku and Jadon Sancho starring for the English visitors while Maximilian Breunig had two goals disallowed.

Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea
Goals 0-2 Nkunku 51', Mudryk 86'
Red card: Casadei 90+6'

Frank Schmidt's European debutants had the tale of their rise from the German sixth tier heard far and wide in the build-up to the match, and soon showed they are a match for the star-studded Chelsea squad with Mikkel Kaufmann poking the first effort of the night just wide when meeting a Léo Scienza cross in a great position. Paul Wanner then forced two strong saves from Filip Jörgensen in the Chelsea goal as Heidenheim continued to go toe-to-toe with the former European champions in the first half. An alert Kevin Müller made five saves at the other end as Marc Guiu and Nkunku went close to putting the visitors in front, but the lack of goals at the break were ultimately a fair reflection of the play in a hard-fought first period. 

Kaufmann looped another effort at Jörgensen within seconds of the restart only for Chelsea to strike an opener as two former Bundesliga stars combined. Jadon Sancho fed Nkunku in the box, who drove unstoppably past Müller. Lennard Maloney slid a shot wide at the far post from a cross and Scienza then curled an effort narrowly wide as the Bundesliga side made a brave effort to get back on level terms. Jörgensen then needed to make a double save as Wanner and Scienza had chances for a leveller within seconds. While Müller kept Heidenheim in it by denying Nkunku when through on goal, the run of the play went against the hosts. Substitute Maximilian Breunig had a headed goal ruled out for offside before Mykhailo Mudryk added a second from a Sancho cut-back and Breunig had another strike ruled out for offside. That Heidenheim won their opening three Conference League encounters before tonight leaves them in a strong position to still progress to the knockout rounds. 

Watch: Heidenheim's rise from the sixth tier to Europe

Match stats

• Heidenheim’s record in Europe so far is five wins from six.
• Previously a player at the club, Schmidt took charge of Heidenheim on 17 September 2007, three days before José Mourinho left Chelsea for the first time.
• Maresca is the 21st coach to take charge of a Chelsea game (including interim and coaches with multiple tenures) since Schmidt took the Heidenheim helm.
• Nkunku, who has four goals in the Conference League this season, scored 47 times in 119 Bundesliga games for Leipzig and finished as the division’s joint-top scorer in 2022/23.
• Jadon Sancho scored 40 Bundesliga goals in 118 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
• Chelsea have lost six of their 13 games away at German clubs, and having most recently lost 1-0 at Dortmund in the 2022/23 Champions League round of 16, got their first win in Germany since visiting Schalke in 2014/15.

Teams

Heidenheim: Müller - Traoré (Beck 68'), Mainka (c), Siersleben, Theuerkauf – Dorsch (Schöppner 56'), Maloney (Breunig 68') – Scienza, Wanner, Honsak (Conteh 56') – Kaufmann (Gimber 77')
Unued subs: Feller, Eicher, Busch, Schöppner, Föhrenbach, Kerber, Negele, Janes
Out: Keller (ineligible), Niehues (knee), Pieringer (achilles), Schimmer (ineligible), Thomalla (ineligible)
Coach: Frank Schmidt

Chelsea: Jörgensen - Disasi (c), Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga – Sancho (George 90+2), Dewsbury-Hall (Rak-Sakyi 90+2), Casadei, Mudryk – Nkunku (Chukwuemeka 74'), Guiu (Félix 62')
Unued subs: Bergström, Sánchez, Colwill, Madueke, Dyer, Mheuka
Out: Bettinelli (ineligible), Chilwell (ineligible), Fofana (ineligible), Gusto (illness), James (thigh), Lavia (ineligible), Neto (other), Palmer (ineligible)
Coach: Enzo Maresca

As it happened!

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About the clubs

1. FC Heidenheim 1846

Voith-Arena

0 - 2

(0 - 0)

Heidenheim

FINAL

Chelsea

Conference League
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Voith-Arena

Full-time: Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea

Despite a spirited performance, Heidenheim come up short against their Premier League opposition. The West London side pinched the ball off the hosts and then worked a nice move which was rounded off by former Leipzig player Nkunku, and Mudryk added a second after being teed up by ex-Dortmunder Sancho. Frank Schmidt's side did manage to put the ball in the back of the Chelsea net on two occasions, but both goals were disallowed due to offside. Although they suffered defeat today, Heidenheim are still in a comfortable position in the Conference League standings, now sitting on nine points from a possible 12. Their next match in this competition sees them travel to Türkiye to face Istanbul Başakşehir.

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

Full-time

90'

+ 6

Down to ten

Casadei breaks up a counter-attack by pulling on Scienza's shirt, and receives a second yellow and his marching orders.

90'

+ 6

Second yellow card

Cesare Casadei

90'

+ 4

Touch too far

Wanner sprays the ball wide to the left in search of Scienza, but it's just a little too far ahead of the winger and goes out for a goal-kick.

90'

+ 2

Substitution

Tyrique George

Jadon Sancho

90'

+ 2

Substitution

Samuel Rak-Sakyi

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

90'

+ 1

Good chunk of added time

There will be five additional minutes played at the Voith-Arena.

89'

Scienza fouled

The winger is brought down right on the edge of the box by Disasi, who escapes a booking. It results in a free-kick for the hosts.

88'

Flag up again

Breunig turns the ball home from close-range, but once again, the offside flag has gone up as the goal is chalked off.

86'

Second for Chelsea

The away side combine down the right flank as Sancho drives into the box and lays it off to Mudryk on the edge of the area, who powers a shot into the top-right corner to double the visitors' advantage.

86'

Mykhaïlo Mudryk

GOAL!

0:2

85'

Latest caution

Schöppner pulls back Mudryk who was looking to break away, and receives a booking in the aftermath.

85'

Yellow card

Jan Schöppner

84'

Yellow card

Renato Veiga

83'

Hosts standing firm

Chelsea have created a few chances for them to put the game to bed, but both the Heidenheim 'keeper and defence have stood strong in the face of these attacks to keep it at just 1-0.

81'

Get on with it!

The Chelsea keeper goes into the book after delaying a restart.

81'

Yellow card

Filip Jörgensen

80'

Müller keeps Heidenheim in it

The 'keeper next denies Dewsbury-Hall in a one-on-one to keep the scoreline at 1-0, and with there only being ten minutes to play, it is an important stop to keep it a one-goal game.

79'

Offside flag denies equaliser

Breunig nods it into the ground and into the back of the net to draw the hosts level, but the flag goes up straight away as the attacker had been caught out by Chelsea's high line just as the cross came in.

77'

Final Heidenheim sub

After making some attacking changes in their last substitution window, Frank Schmidt subs on centre-back Gimber in place of Kaufmann with his final roll of the dice. It is now up to the 11 on the pitch to get something out of this game, in which only one goal separates the sides.

77'

Substitution

Benedikt Gimber

Mikkel Kaufmann

74'

Substitution

Carney Chukwuemeka

Christopher Nkunku

73'

Müller wins battle of wits

Nkunku has a one-on-one chance against Müller, but the Heidenheim 'keeper comes out on top this time and saves the Frenchman's effort.

72'

Neither crowd nor players giving in

It's still nice and loud at the Voith-Arena, and the encouragement being given by the fans is being reflected in the players' willingness to cover the hard yards and leave it all out on the pitch for their team.

71'

Schmidt booked

The head coach vents his frustrations at the referee's decision to award Chelsea a free-kick, and receives a yellow card for his troubles.

71'

Yellow card

Frank Schmidt

69'

Hosts denied by double save

First Wanner, then Scienza think they've done enough to draw their side level, but Jörgensen denies them both from close range and saves both efforts.

68'

Substitution

Adrian Beck

Omar Traoré

68'

Substitution

Maximilian Breunig

Lennard Maloney

66'

Traoré in the way

Mudryk looks to head towards goal at the back post, but Traoré does well to get up and put off the Ukrainian, as the header is blocked and then subsequently cleared.

63'

So close from Scienza!

Some sloppiness at the back from Chelsea leads to a loss of possession that Heidenheim seek to punish. Scienza curls one towards the far post from the left, but the effort is just wide of the target.

62'

Maloney inches away

The USMNT international finds himself in space at the back post as he tries to get on the end of a cross into the box from a free-kick. He stretches out, but is just unable to make contact with the ball.

62'

Substitution

João Félix

Marc Guiu

60'

Cross collected

Scienza waits for Traoré on the overlap, who then looks to put a cross into the box from the right-hand side. However, the ball is just too close to 'keeper Jörgensen, who collects.

56'

Double sub

Two pairs of fresh legs have been brought on to try and give Heidenheim a boost in midfield and on the wing.

56'

Substitution

Jan Schöppner

Niklas Dorsch

56'

Substitution

Sirlord Conteh

Mathias Honsak

55'

How will Heidenheim react?

Frank Schmidt appears to be looking to the bench as part of his side's efforts to get back into this game.

51'

Former Leipzig player breaks deadlock

The home side are dispossessed in their own third, and Dewsbury-Hall plays it down the right side to ex-Dortmunder Sancho. His cross into the box is controlled by Nkunku before the Frenchman whips it into the far corner and past Kevin Müller.

51'

Christopher Nkunku

GOAL!

0:1

50'

Going long

Both sides are looking to play in behind the opposition defence and play directly, resulting in a lot of end-to-end play.

46'

Positive start to second half

The hosts, unchanged at the break, get forward straight from kick-off. On this occasion, Kaufmann is unable to get it out of his feet properly and so is unsuccessful, but it's a promising way to get this second half going.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Heidenheim 0-0 Chelsea

The first half ends goalless, and Heidenheim can be pleased with their first-half showing. The home side have caused Chelsea some problems, finding particular success out on the flanks, but have so far been unable to find the back of the net. At the other end, Kevin Müller has been equal to all of the visitors' efforts on target so far. It's all to play for after the interval!

© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Half-time

45'

+ 2

Tosin sends it wide

The centre-back does not connect cleanly with Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick in from the left, as the ball rolls wide of the target.

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

There will be a minimum of two minutes of added time.

45'

Next booking

Casadei breaks up a potential Heidenheim counter with a sliding foul and receives a warning.

45'

Yellow card

Cesare Casadei

41'

First Heidenheim yellow

The right-back goes into the book following a foul on Mudryk.

41'

Yellow card

Omar Traoré

38'

Solo goal denied

Nkunku dances through the penalty area before shooting from close range, but Müller is there once again to frustrate the visitors. It has been a good first-half performance from the Heidenheim number one.

34'

VAR check

After initally awarding no foul and a goal-kick, the referee Serdar Gözübüyük goes to the screen to check on a potential foul on Mudryk in the Heidenheim penalty box. He sticks with his original decision and plays on.

Even game so far

Underdogs Heidenheim have more than proved their worth in the first 30 minutes against the Premier League side.

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

27'

Nkunku skies it

The former Leipzig man finds himself clean through on goal, but his attempted chipped effort goes over both Müller and the Heidenheim goal.

25'

Wanner tests Jörgensen

The 18-year-old breaks through a couple of Chelsea tackles and into the box before powering a left-footed shot towards the near post, but Jörgensen gets behind the effort to concede a corner.

23'

Müller on hand again

Dewsbury-Hall's fierce left-footed shot from long range forces a strong save out of Müller, who gets down and across to parry the ball out for a corner.

20'

Voith-Arena rocking

The home fans are doing their best to spur on their side in this massive Conference League fixture. Every successful is being rightfully cheered on by the Heidenheim faithful.

17'

Top stop

The ball rolls across to Guiu on the edge of the box, presenting the Chelsea attacker with a good shooting chance, but his left-footed effort is saved by the of Müller, who keeps it at 0-0.

15'

Next chance for Kaufmann

The hosts move it sharply through Chelsea's final third and into the box, with the final pass being played to Kaufmann on the right-hand side of the area. He takes a touch before firing a powerful effort that goes straight at Jörgensen.

12'

No takers

Honsak darts down the left wing and puts a dangerous flat cross into the box, but there is no one in the middle to utilise the opportunity.

11'

Müller denies Guiu

The ball falls to the Spaniard on the left side of the penalty box, as he tries to curl it past Müller. However, the Heidenheim 'keeper is equal to the effort.

God save the King

The home fans displayed this tifo ahead of kick-off, paying homage to their long-serving coach Frank Schmidt.

© IMAGO/Davide Elias

6'

Bright start

Heidenheim have succeeded in putting early pressure on the Premier League side. The visitors have got their finally got their foot on the ball for the first time tonight, but they if they didn't already know, they're in for a tough test against Frank Schmidt's side tonight.

2'

Resulting free-kick brings first chance

Scienza whips a fierce ball into the box from the right-hand side which causes a few problems, and Kaufmann is able to get a foot to it, but he drags his shot just wide of the far post.

1'

Very early booking

Badiashile brings down Scienza who was looking to break down the right flank, and goes into the book in just the first minute of the game.

1'

Yellow card

Benoit Badiashile

1'

Game on!

The visitors from London, wearing all-white, kick off against Heidenheim, who are in their red home kit.

Kick-off!

The stage is set

The Voith-Arena is poised ahead of this mammoth Conference League tie. The teams are in the tunnel, as Heidenheim prepare to host Chelsea for the very first time.

Perfect records on the line

Both sides go into the match tonight with three wins out of three in the Conference League. Factoring in goal difference, Chelsea currently occupy second place in the league standings, with Heidenheim in sixth. Despite the vastly different journeys the two sides have taken to get here, they go into this fixture level on points.

All-change Chelsea

Centre-back Benoit Badiashile is the only player named in tonight's Chelsea XI who began their last Premier League fixture against Leicester. Otherwise, ten new players come into the side, including the attacking trio of Christopher Nkunku, Mykhaïlo Mudryk and Jadon Sancho.

More on that Heidenheim team

Frank Schmidt has made fives changes to the side which began the 5-2 defeat in Leverkusen. Tim Siersleben starts ahead of Benedikt Gimber at the heart of the defence, and Norman Theuerkauf comes in for Jonas Föhrenbach at left-back, with Paul Wanner replacing Jan Schöppner in an attacking midfield switch. Leo Scienza replaces Adrian Beck on the right wing, and up front, Mikkel Kaufmann has come in for the injured Marvin Pieringer.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Memmler

Heidenheim starting XI

Müller - Traoré, Mainka (c), Siersleben, Theuerkauf – Dorsch, Maloney – Scienza, Wanner, Honsak – Kaufmann

Heidenheim subs

Feller, Eicher, Busch, Schöppner, Gimber, Breunig, Föhrenbach, Kerber, Beck, Negele, Conteh, Janes

Chelsea starting XI

Jörgensen - Disasi (c), Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga – Sancho, Dewsbury-Hall, Casadei, Mudryk – Nkunku, Guiu

Chelsea subs

Bergström, Sánchez, Colwill, Madueke, Félix, Chukwuemeka, George, Dyer, Rak-Sakyi, Mheuka

Enzo Maresca on Heidenheim:

"I enjoy every game; knowing that in this competition, every club and every team try to make it a big game because it's a big game. The issue for us can be if we are not ready mentally and we underestimate something, it can hurt us."

Frank Schmidt on Chelsea:

“For me, it was a long way off, even if everyone around here since the draw has come to me and said, ‘You’re playing against Chelsea!’. But I say, ‘Yes, but also against five other teams as well’. The fact Chelsea are now coming after we’ve won the first three games is honestly quite hard to believe. But the fact is they’re not coming here for a friendly, we don’t have to pay them. It’s a competitive fixture. Heidenheim and the entire region are really excited."

© Maja Hitij

Europe = hope for Heidenheim

Heidenheim are without a win in six in the Bundesliga, but have saved their best for Europe so far this season - winning all three UEFA Conference League matches so far along with their two qualifying ties.

Remember us?

Christopher Nkunku enjoyed a four-year spell at RB Leipzig, finishing joint top goalscorer in the 2022/23 Bundesliga (just before Heidenheim were promoted). He has four goals already in the UEFA Conference League for Chelsea. Jadon Sancho (pictured) is also in Chelsea's Conference League squad after a successful loan spell at Dortmund in the second half of last season, although he missed a chance to play against Heidenheim then due to injury.

© UWE KRAFT

Big loss

Pieringer has five goals and four assists in all competitions this season, and will therefore be surely missed when Heidenhem host Chelsea. He is tied with Paul Wanner and Maximilian Breunig as the club's top scorer.

Pieringer out of action

Frank Schmidt has shed further light on Marvin Pieringer's injury, which will see him miss his side's tie with Chelsea: “He got hit hard above the Achilles tendon. I can’t rate (the injury) yet, but he will definitely be out on Thursday.”

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

One for the history books

This will be the first time that these two sides have met, and it provides a significant reminder as to just how far Heidenheim have come in recent years. Chelsea have three wins from three in the competition, the most recent of which was an 8-0 win against FC Noah.

2:03

Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 5-2 Heidenheim - highlights

Having initially gone two goals up, Heidenheim fell to a 5-2 defeat away to Leverkusen.

Heidenheim - the story so far

Anything Chelsea can do, Heidenheim can do better. Frank Schmidt's side maintained their 100 percent record in the Conference League with a 2-0 win at Hearts. They've also accounted for Pafos and Olimpija, as well as Häcken home and away in the play-off round.

© IMAGO/Jane Barlow

Chelsea - the story so far

Chelsea scraped through their play-off tie with Servette, but have been perfect in the competition proper. Big wins over Gent, Panathinaikos and Noah have them top of the table with a hefty goal difference of +13.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Heidenheim's fourth UEFA Conference League game of the 2024/25 league phase at home to Chelsea on Thursday.