Heidenheim — Wolfsburg : Match Preview and Prediction for August 23,2025

Heidenheim’s Past Season and Preseason Performance

Last season, Heidenheim found themselves in a precarious position, narrowly avoiding relegation from the Bundesliga. They secured their top-flight status through a playoff battle against Elversberg, highlighting a season of struggle rather than triumph.

Their preseason preparations have been notably limited and somewhat unconventional, featuring only three friendly matches. Despite the restricted schedule, they managed to secure victories against Wacker (2-0), Ingolstadt (3-2), and Parma (2-1).

Lack of Squad Reinforcement and Managerial Challenges

Heidenheim’s management appears to have overlooked past deficiencies, failing to make any significant additions to strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window. Even minor tactical transfers were sparse. While the core squad from last season was retained, this same group was involved in a fight to stay up. Coach Frank Schmidt has arguably already extracted the maximum potential from these players, suggesting a challenging road ahead without fresh talent.

DFB-Pokal Result and Injury Woes

Just a week prior, the hosts recorded a comfortable 5-0 victory over the relatively modest Balinger in the DFB-Pokal’s Round of 1/32. However, with their opponent coming from the fourth division, this result offers little insight into their readiness for the demanding Bundesliga season.

Further compounding the team’s difficulties, Coach Schmidt will be without four key players for the upcoming encounter: Keller, Feller, Beck, and Pieringer, significantly impacting his selection options.

Wolfsburg’s Ambitions and New Leadership

Wolfsburg has not featured in European competitions or contended for league medals for a considerable period. The previous season continued this trend, prompting the appointment of Paul Simonis as the new head coach, tasked with steering the team towards renewed success.

Challenging Preseason and Defensive Concerns

The “Wolves'” preseason campaign was far from ideal. After an initial 4-3 victory over Magdeburg, they subsequently suffered four consecutive defeats: Espanyol (0-1), Feyenoord (0-4), and Brighton (1-2, 1-2). This sequence of results raises significant questions about their form heading into the new season.

Their defensive performance is particularly alarming, having conceded 12 goals across these five preseason fixtures. While the attack managed six goals, four of these came in a single match against Magdeburg, indicating a potential lack of consistent offensive threat against stronger opposition.

DFB-Pokal Success and Promising Signings

In their first official match, Wolfsburg dominated Hemelingen with a resounding 9-0 victory in the DFB-Pokal. This commanding performance was essential, as any less convincing result might have immediately put Paul Simonis under pressure.

On a more optimistic note, the club secured three promising signings: Aaron Zehnter (from Paderborn), Vini Souza (Sheffield United), and Jesper Lindstrom (Napoli). These new additions are expected to bolster the squad’s quality.

Extensive Injury List for Wolfsburg

A major challenge for Simonis is an extensive injury list, with eight players currently sidelined: Paredes, Amoura, Skov, Wind, Vavro, Rogerio, Lindstrom, and Olsen. This considerable number of absentees will undoubtedly complicate his efforts to select a strong starting eleven and test the team’s depth.