**Heidenheim Wins 2-0: Hearts Match Report & Ratings**

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Post on Nov 08, 2024

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Heidenheim Wins 2-0: Hearts Match Report & Ratings

Heidenheim secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Hearts in a tense encounter at the Voith Arena on Thursday, August 31st. The German side dominated possession and created a plethora of chances, eventually finding the net through Tobias Mohr and Tim Kleindienst. This win sees Heidenheim advance to the Europa Conference League play-off round, while Hearts face an uphill battle in the second leg.

First Half Dominance

Heidenheim began the match with a clear game plan: control possession and pressure the Hearts defense. They succeeded in doing so, forcing the Scottish side into numerous defensive errors. The first half saw a relentless barrage of attacks from the home side, culminating in a deserved lead.

Mohr broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a well-taken finish, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Hearts. The goal sparked further confidence in Heidenheim, who continued to dominate the remainder of the first half.

Hearts Struggle to Find Their Feet

The away side struggled to find their footing in the match. Their passing was often inaccurate, and they failed to create any genuine goal-scoring opportunities. The only real threat they posed came from set-pieces, where their height advantage could have caused problems for Heidenheim. However, the German side's defense held firm.

Second Half: A Similar Story

The second half saw a continuation of the first half's pattern. Heidenheim continued to dominate possession, but Hearts managed to tighten up their defense, making it more difficult for the home side to break through.

However, the German side's persistence was rewarded in the 74th minute when Kleindienst doubled their lead with a clinical finish. The goal effectively ended Hearts' hopes of mounting a comeback, and the remaining minutes were played out with Heidenheim comfortably in control.

Player Ratings

Heidenheim:

• Tobias Mohr (8/10): Scored the opening goal and was a constant threat throughout the match.
• Tim Kleindienst (7/10): Clinical finish for the second goal and held the Hearts defense at bay.
• Jan-Niklas Beste (7/10): Dominated the midfield and orchestrated attacks with precision.
• Dennis Schmidt (6/10): Solid defensive performance, keeping Hearts' attackers at bay.

Hearts:

• Lawrence Shankland (5/10): Isolated up front and struggled to make an impact on the game.
• Stephen Kingsley (5/10): Caught out of position for the first goal and had a difficult time containing Heidenheim's attacks.
• Alex Cochrane (6/10): Battled hard in defense but ultimately unable to prevent the defeat.

Looking Ahead

Heidenheim's comfortable victory gives them a significant advantage heading into the second leg in Scotland. However, Hearts still have a chance to turn the tie around, especially if they can improve their attacking efficiency and make better use of their set-piece threat.

The second leg promises to be a tense affair with both sides desperate to progress to the next round.

Keywords: Heidenheim, Hearts, Europa Conference League, match report, player ratings, Tobias Mohr, Tim Kleindienst, Voith Arena, Scotland, Germany.