Stay calm and composed for the season finale | OneFootball

Marvin Ducksch scored in the 3-3 draw with Heidenheim earlier this season (photo: W.DE).

Previewing Werder’s away game at 1. FC Heidenheim

The final 90 minutes of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season await. While there’s little room left for big moves in the table for SV Werder in their last outing of the campaign – away at 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday, 17th May 2025, at 15:30 CEST – head coach Ole Werner was clear that there’s still plenty at stake. To come away with a result against the side from the Ostalb region, one thing will be key: staying calm and composed.

Team news: Oliver Burke, who has opted not to extend his contract beyond the summer, will not feature one last time in Green and White. The Scottish forward is sidelined with a bruised foot and will miss the trip to Heidenheim. Apart from that, Ole Werner has the rest of his squad available for selection.

Ole Werner on the opposition: “Heidenheim have rediscovered their strengths. We weren’t patient enough in our previous matches against them and gave away too much space – we need to improve on that. They’re a very physical side, and from the first minute they’ll be at full throttle, trying to drag us into a frantic game. We need to meet that challenge, stay structured in our play and avoid giving them too many chances.”

Head-to-head record: Werder are still searching for that elusive first Bundesliga win over Heidenheim. Since their promotion under long-serving coach Frank Schmidt, the two sides have met three times in the top flight, with Werder losing twice and drawing 3-3 in the reverse fixture earlier this season. There’s also the pair of matches from the Green-Whites’ 2. Bundesliga season in 2021/22 – one win (3-0) and one defeat (1-2) for Werder – plus two draws in the relegation play-off (0-0 & 2-2), and one win (4-1) and one loss (2-1) in the DFB-Pokal.

Theuerkauf’s farewell & Heidenheim’s slim automatic survival hopes

Theuerkauf made 52 appearances for Werder’s U23 side (photo: nordphoto).

Heidenheim’s slim chance: While Ole Werner is aiming to hit the 50-point mark with a final-day win and secure the highest possible league finish, there’s also plenty on the line for Schmidt’s team – namely, a potential shot at avoiding relegation. For Heidenheim to climb to guaranteed safety, they’ll need a goal-laden win against Werder and a helping hand from champions Bayern Munich in their clash with TSG Hoffenheim. Heading into matchday 34, TSG hold a three-point and six-goal advantage over FCH – a tall order, but the faint hope of 15th place will be motivation enough.

Farewell to a former Werder man: After Werder said goodbye to six players at their last home match of the season, there’ll be a farewell ceremony at Heidenheim too. Among those being honoured will be former Werder man Norman Theuerkauf, who is retiring this summer. The 38-year-old – who may yet feature one last time in his 400+ match professional career – will remain at the club, taking over as head coach of the U15s.