Heidenheim missed out on direct qualification to the UEFA Conference League last 16 after drawing with St. Gallen in their final fixture of the new league phase.

Heidenheim 1-1 St. Gallen
Goals: 1-0 Theuerkauf 30' (assist: Conteh), 1-1 Stanić 77' (assist: Okoroji)

Already assured of a play-off berth, Heidenheim went into the game on a seven-game losing run in all competitions, but were comfortable for long stretches in the first half. Visiting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was a bag of nerves at times, fumbling on a number of occasions as Frank Schmidt's team pressed for the opening goal. He did come up with a big save from Leo Scienza, before Heidenheim got the goal their play just about deserved. Having survived a scare at one end when Kevin Csoboth headed off target against the run of play, the Bundesliga outfit forged ahead through Norman Theuerkauf, who applied a confident close-range finish to Sirlord Conteh's cross with 30 minutes gone.

A cagey second half burst into life in the 72nd minute when former Hamburg defender Stephan Ambrosius headed wide from close range. Heidenheim went up the the other end with Paul Wanner, who was denied by the woodwork at the end of a jinking run. St. Gallen levelled soon after as Jozo Stanić - once of Augsburg - converted following a short corner. Substitute Marnon Busch struck the outside of the right-hand post as Heidenheim went in search of the win needed to avoid the play-offs, but that one final chance didn't materialise. Schmidt & Co. will find out who they will face in the knockout phase play-offs at a draw in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday.

Watch: Heidenheim - from the sixth tier to Europe

Match stats

• Heidenheim are playing UEFA competition for the first time. They finished 16th in the 36-team league phase on 10 points.
• This was the first competitive meeting between Heidenheim and St. Gallen.
• Wanner, 18, is one of six Heidenheim goalscorers in the Conference League and is their top scorer in all competitions in 2024/25 with six goals in 22 games.
• Theuerkauf scored his first goal in European competition.
• St. Gallen’s record against German opposition is two wins, two draws and 13 defeats.
• Visiting head coach Enrico Maaßen oversaw 44 games in charge of Augsburg, while Akolo, Ambrosius, Stanić, Chima Okoroji and Betim Fazliji have all previously played in the Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2.

Teams

Heidenheim: Müller - Traoré (Busch 75'), Mainka (c), Gimber, Theuerkauf - Schöppner (Dorsch 65'), Kerber - Conteh (Honsak 65'), Wanner, Scienza (Beck 84) - Kaufmann (Breunig 65')
Unused subs: Eicher, Feller, Föhrenbach, Janes, Negele, Pieringer, Siersleben
Out: Keller (ineligible), Niehues (knee), Schimmer (ineligible), Thomalla (ineligible)
Coach: Frank Schmidt

St. Gallen: Ati Zigi - Vandermersch, Stanić, Ambrosius, Okoroji - Stevanovic (Görtler 46'), Quintillà (c) - Faber, Witzig, Csoboth (Toma 65') - Mambimbi (Akolo 46')
Unused subs: Watkowiak, Dumrath, Geubbels, Cissé, Yannick, Diaby, Vallci, Fazliji, Ruiz
Out: Konietzke (unknown), Nuhu (knee)
Coach: Enrico Maaßen

As it happened!

1 - 1

(1 - 0)

Heidenheim

FINAL

St. Gallen

Conference League
League phase, Matchday 6 League phase, Matchday 6 Voith Arena

Full-time: Heidenheim 1-1 St. Gallen

That's got to hurt for Heidenheim. They fall just short of direct qualification to the Conference League last 16 after letting slip a 1-0 lead in their final group game. They'll find out who awaits in the play-offs at Friday's draw in Nyon. St. Gallen are out.

© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Full-time

89'

Three minutes

Can Heidenheim find the late winner needed to bypass the play-offs? They're down in 15th, as things stand...

89'

Wide!

Patrick Mainka's not far away with a well-struck effort from range. Not sure Ati Zigi would have got there...

87'

On his toes

Müller with a rare save to beat away Quintilla's long-range strike. The ensuing corner comes to nothing.

84'

Substitution

Adrian Beck

Léo Scienza

83'

Woodwork again!

Busch with the header, but his effort grazes the outside of the right-hand post.

77'

Heidenheim pegged back!

Uh-oh. Heidenheim are undone by a short corner routine, converted by the head of former Augsburg defender Jozo Stanić. As things stand, they're now out of the top eight and will have to take the play-off route...

77'

Jozo Stanić

GOAL!

1:1

75'

Substitution

Marnon Busch

Omar Traoré

72'

Post!

Ambrosius misses a great chance at one end, much to the relief of the home faithful. Heidenheim go up the other with Wanner, who jinks past three defenders and fires against the foot of the upright.

69'

Final push

The game's lost a bit of direction with those changes and bookings. Feels like a pivotal stage in the contest, especially with Heidenheim down to eighth in the live table. It'll still be enough to avoid the play-offs - but they need to hold on for a win.

65'

Yellow card

Paul Wanner

65'

Yellow card

Jordi Quintilla

65'

Substitution

Bastien Toma

Kevin Csoboth

65'

Substitution

Maximilian Breunig

Mikkel Kaufmann

65'

Substitution

Niklas Dorsch

Jan Schöppner

65'

Substitution

Mathias Honsak

Sirlord Conteh

One goal so far...

... but what a huge one in Heidenheim's history it could prove to be.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Roger Buerke

53'

Dangerous scoreline

St. Gallen are getting bodies forward, albeit without seriously threatening in the final third. They will surely get at least one chance, though, the more desperate they become.

49'

Wanner to the fore

Paul Wanner means business this second half. The Bayern loanee's handy work has already drawn a couple of last-ditch challenges in and around the St. Gallen penalty area.

46'

St. Gallen changes

Chadrac Akolo replaces Felix Mambimbi, while Lukas Görtler - once of the Bayern Munich reserves - is on for Mihailo Stevanovic. Another Heidenheim goal should seal this as the second half kicks off...

Kick-off!

Half-time: Heidenheim 1-0 St. Gallen

So far, so good for Heidenheim. Theuerkauf's goal has them in front and on course for the Conference League round of 16.

© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Half-time

44'

One added minute

Heidenheim are looking fairly comfortable again...

39'

First booking

And it's Mikkel Kaufmann who's penalised for catching visiting captain Jordi Quintilla with a stray elbow.

39'

Yellow card

Mikkel Kaufmann

38'

As things stand

Heidenheim are up to seventh in the table and heading straight through to the knockout rounds...

33'

Missed opportunity

It opens up for Heidenheim as Kerber and Kaufmann combine in the box, but Ati Zigi is out to smother.

30'

And ride it they do!

There's the goal - and it's Heidenheim with the lead! Conteh's the instigator with a cross that's initially blocked. He gets a second bite of the cherry and finds Theuerkauf to fire home at the back post.

30'

Norman Theuerkauf

GOAL!

1:0

27'

Turning tide?

All of a sudden, the Swiss side have taken control. Heidenheim need to ride this storm.

23'

Warning sign!

Heidenheim are very nearly caught cold against the run of play as St. Gallen threaten for the first time. Csoboth pulls away from his marker, but can't land his header on target.

19'

Chances

Ati Zigi fumbles once more following a corner. Kerber's rebound is blocked out to Scienza, who is denied by a goalkeeper who looks far from convincing. Gimber then puts his follow-up wide from 12 yards.

13'

Wing man

Scienza's direct running in the wide areas is causing problems for the visitors. The Heidenheim man has another cross blocked following a surging run.

9'

Butter fingers

Ati Zigi spills a Wanner corner, but is fouled before a red-and-blue shirt can get anything on the bouncing ball.

7'

Right idea

Ati Zigi punches away a Scienza cross. Theuerkauf picks it up on the edge of the area, but can't direct his attempted shot on target. Encouraging start from the hosts!

2'

What's at stake?

A reminder that Heidenheim need to win to have any chance of progressing directly to the round of 16. St. Gallen also need maximum points in their pursuit of a play-off berth.

Under way!

Visiting St. Gallen get the ball rolling at the Voith-Arena!

Inspiration

Heidenheim will look back to their last European win, against Hearts (2-0) to inspire them ahead of this clash.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Kevin Damrose

Just over 15 minutes remaining

Not long until we get underway. Can Heidenheim grab the win they need to give themselves a chance of a top-eight spot?

Heidenheim team news

Frank Schmidt, meanwhile, makes three changes to the XI that lost at Stuttgart. Niklas Dorsch, Mathias Honsak and Marvin Pieringer make way for Luca Kerber, Sirlord Conteh and Mikkel Kaufmann.

© IMAGO/Harry Langer/DeFodi Images

St. Gallen team news

Maaßen makes just one change to the side that beat St. Gallen at the weekend, with Mihailo Stevanovic coming in for Bastien Toma.

© IMAGO/Pius Koller

Heidenheim starting XI

Müller - Traoré, Mainka (c), Gimber, Theuerkauf - Schöppner, Kerber - Conteh, Wanner, Scienza - Kaufmann

Heidenheim subs

Beck, Breunig, Busch, Dorsch, Eicher, Feller, Föhrenbach, Honsak, Janes, Negele, Pieringer, Siersleben

St. Gallen starting XI

Ati Zigi - Vandermersch, Stanić, Ambrosius, Okoroji - Stevanovic, Quintillà (c) - Faber, Witzig, Csoboth - Mambimbi

St. Gallen subs

Watkowiak, Dumrath, Geubbels, Akolo, Cissé, Yannick, Diaby, Görtler, Vallci, Fazliji, Toma, Ruiz

St. Gallen coach Maaßen's thoughts on Heidenheim

"The opponent has some lively players. I hope we still have a lot up our sleeve. We will give everything."

© IMAGO/Sergio Brunetti

Back in Germany

St. Gallen have former Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund reserves coach Enrico Maaßen in their dugout. The 40-year-old oversaw 44 games at the Augsburg helm between the summer of 2022 and October 2023.

© IMAGO/Sergio Brunetti

Conteh proud

Heidenheim's speed demon Sirlord Conteh is thrilled to be competing in Europe this term having made the jump up to his current club from previous side Paderborn. “It’s something special to be able to play in the Conference League," the 28-year-old said. "I played in the second division last season and now two dreams have come true: I can play in the Bundesliga and in Europe."

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

It's game day!

Heidenheim are all set to complete their league phase adventure of this season's Conference League, with the compact Voith-Arena a sell-out for this evening's visit of St. Gallen.

© IMAGO/H. Langer/IMAGO/Langer

Schmidt's view on St. Gallen

"They've recently played in a 4-3-2-1 formation and have been very compact in the centre. Every player is ready to help the team through their commitment, willingness to cover ground in transition and by providing a goal threat at set pieces. It'll be interesting to see which team finds the better balance out on the pitch and who wins more duels at the back, in order to better take advantage of counter-attacks."

© Getty Images

Unlikely threat?

Heidenheim midfielder Adrian Beck is a player St. Gallen will have to keep an eye on. The 27-year-old has had more efforts on goal (12) than any of his teammates in the Conference League this season.

© Imago Images

Spot-kick experts

Heidenheim have converted all three penalties they have been awarded in the Bundesliga this season, a figure bettered only by Bayern Munich, who have five. Unlike Bayern, for whom Harry Kane is the designated taker, Frank Schmidt's side have rotated responsibility this season. Paul Wanner, Marvin Pieringer and Maximilian Breunig have all scored one each from the spot.

0:10

Watch: The Bundesliga's fastest-ever player

Heidenheim have a not-so-secret weapon up their sleeve in the shape of attacker Sirlord Conteh, who set a new all-time Bundesliga speed record earlier this month when he became the first person in the league's history to hit 36.82km/h. Check out his lung-busting burst of pace in this video...

Stop the rot

Heidenheim will be desperate to get back on track after a difficult run of form. They have lost their previous seven games in all competitions, including to Chelsea and Hearts in this competition, while they have prevailed in only one of their last 10 fixtures.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

History on Heidenheim's side

While this is the first meeting between these two teams, St. Gallen have plenty of experience against German outfits. However, they have won just two of their 16 such encounters, losing 13.

Heidenheim team news

Frank Schmidt has four absentees to deal with for this encounter. Denis Thomalla and Stefan Schimmer were not named in the Conference League squad at the start of the campaign and are therefore unavailable anyway, while Thomas Keller and Julian Niehues continue to recover from injuries.

© IMAGO/Markus Fischer

Familiar faces

Given Switzerland's close proximity to Germany, several of the visitors' squad have previously plied their trade in the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and German lower divisions. Jovan Milošević, pictured, on loan from VfB Stuttgart, is amongst them.

© IMAGO

St. Gallen form

It has not been the best of seasons for the Swiss outfit. They have won just one of their past seven games in all competitions, and have amassed just four points in this term's Conference League. Much like Heidenheim, they need to win and wait on results elsewhere, although the best they can achieve is a play-off position.

State of play

With one match remaining of the league phase, Heidenheim have already secured their place in the knockout play-off - they are already five points above 25th in the table. However, to guarantee themselves a top-eight finish and automatic spot in the last 16, they will need to defeat St. Gallen and hope other results go their way as they sit one point adrift of eighth place with several teams also above them.

2:03

Watch: Heidenheim 1-3 VfB Stuttgart - highlights

Heidenheim suffered a disappointing defeat in their last Bundesliga outing prior to this important European clash.

Welcome!

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

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About the clubs

1. FC Heidenheim 1846

Voith-Arena