"That was stupid": Steffen's indirect praise of Scienza
Heidenheim overcame a 2-0 deficit in the second half of the relegation playoff first leg. The substitutes, especially Leonardo Scienza, played a key role in this.
Leonardo Scienza assisted both Heidenheim goals. IMAGO/Steinsiek.ch
Frank Schmidt had to come up with something during halftime on Thursday evening: His team was "not undeservedly," as he himself explained, trailing 2-0 after the first leg of the relegation play-off against Elversberg. In addition to encouraging words, the coach tried to influence the game with three substitutions – and his approach proved to be right.
Paul Wanner , Budu Zivzivadze , and Leonardo Scienza, who came on at halftime for Niklas Dorsch , Adrian Beck , and Marvin Pieringer, livened up the game. "The three substitutions were very beneficial to the game. Paul, Leo, and Budu all brought a lot of momentum," said Tim Siersleben on the Sky video. The central defender himself benefited directly from the latter's substitution. Scienza's free kick, which Niklas Kristof parried forward, was then slotted into the net by Siersleben.
Schmidt: Tap-in goals were no coincidenceIt was no coincidence that Mathias Honsak equalized just three minutes later – also with a tap-in. "We've seen these scenes at Elversberg once or twice before. My boys knew: follow up when the ball came towards the goal. That's what they did," Schmidt explained.
As with the equalizer, Scienza was responsible for the shot that Kristof missed. With his two assists, the Brazilian somewhat overshadowed the two other substitutes who came on alongside him. Even the opposing coach paid tribute to the attacker. "Yes, that was a shame," Horst Steffen replied when asked about Scienza's substitution.
I don't want to talk, I want to show him on the pitch.
The 26-year-old inevitably pushed for a starting spot in Monday's return match against Saarland. However, he received no guarantee from his coach. "I have to let it sink in first, and also reassess the opponent. We'll take our time and consider things carefully," Schmidt explained.
Even if the coach were to initially bench his protégé again, he probably wouldn't hold it against him. "The coach has been doing a good job for a long time. I don't want to talk, I want to show him on the pitch. Whether he starts or starts from the bench," said Scienza, who emphasized, however, that it wasn't "nice" to sit out.
No matter his role, one thing is certain: If he can show his coach what he's made of on the pitch in the return match, Heidenheim's chances of staying in the Bundesliga are probably not bad.
