Schmidt praises Bayern loanee Wanner: "He learns fast."
Faced with a raft of summer departures and a grueling schedule to begin the 2024/25 German footballing cycle, 1. FC Heidenheim trainer Frank Schmidt faces the enviable task of whipping his squad into shape for a three-competition-season just one year after they began their very first season in the German top flight. Thus far, it has gone surprisingly swimmingly. The Albogeners won their Pokal fixture last weekend, took care of business in a UECL qualifying match in Sweden on Thursday, and dropped back down to the Bundesrepublik to snag three points from FC St. Pauli at "Fortress Millerntor" in Hamburg today.
Schmidt once again rotated his squad heavily. Only captain Patrick Mainka, midfielder Jan Schöppner, and winger Leo Scienza remained in the XI. New summer acquisition Paul Wanner held a great deal of responsibility during attack charges as Schmidt's choice to work the ten-slot. The young German-Austrian phenom took advantage of the opportunity, finally opening the scoring with his very first Bundesliga goal in the 66th minute.
Schmidt raved about Wanner's skills in his post-match interview with German broadcaster DAZN. The FCH trainer revealed that he had a chat with Wanner at half-time. Wanner slotted home at the end of a lightning-quick Heidenheim counter. Supplying the assist was none other than attacker Marvin Pieringer, who Schmidt has subbed on just four minutes prior.
“He [Wanner] does that [counter-running] brilliantly," Schmidt noted, "He sprints over 60 meters without the ball. At half-time, I told him - after he shot low and flat in the first half: Goal!"
”He learns quickly," Schmidt added with a grin, "He's outstanding as a footballer. Now he's also in solid physical condition. Football-wise, we don't have to teach him that much. But this counter-pressing, always being active, always being on his toes. That's why he's with us and that's what he'll learn from us."
