- The Body has been tasked with drafting a suggestion for a regulation governing the application of synthetic grass.
Switching to synthetic grass is a test for 1. FC Heidenheim's manager Frank Schmidt before their initial appearance on the international stage. "Adapting to the circumstances will be key for us," Schmidt stated ahead of the Conference League playoff first leg against BK Häcken on Thursday (7:00 PM).
Schmidt and his assistant coach Dieter Jarosch attended Häcken's 3:1 victory against IF Brommapojkarna live in the stadium and were impressed by their attacking power. "They manage to score every shot into the corner due to the lack of ball bounce, their frequent play on this surface, and their familiarity with artificial turf," commented Schmidt. He had recognized their prowess in the earlier qualifying rounds. "Consistently scoring six goals isn't just coincidence," said Schmidt.
Before embarking on their journey to Scandinavia, Schmidt conducted a solitary training session on artificial turf at the SV Mergelstetten grounds. "There were not many choices, it would have been pointless," explained Schmidt about the preparation. "We'll have to adapt swiftly now. But there are no poor conditions, only a poor mindset - and we certainly won't have that."
The Conference League is the competition where 1. FC Heidenheim will make their initial appearance on the international stage. The team will be facing BK Häcken, known for their proficiency in scoring on synthetic grass, having consistently managed six goals in earlier rounds.
