FC Heidenheim travelled to the Bavarian capital to take on 1860 Munich in both sides' first game in the Rückrunde. In the reverse game earlier in the season it was a 2-2 draw; Niederlechner and Griesbeck with the goals for the hosts and Okotie and Leonardo for the visitors. The second half of the season proves to be a big one for Markus von Ahlen and 1860 Munich, as Die Löwen are in the midst of a relegation battle; Whilst for Heidenheim their debut season in Germany's second level has been a good one, as the club from Württemberg lie in mid-table.
The 1860 Munich line-up contained most notably top scorer, Rubin Okotie who was kept at the club during the January transfer window despite rumours of a move elsewhere. The side also contained new signings Anthony Annan and Krisztián Simon. Frank Schmidt named a Heidenheim eleven that included Marc Schnatterer who has stood-out for the visitors, contributing seven goals and eight assists. Heidenheim's solitary signing Andreas Voglsammer, signed from Unterhaching, started on the bench at the Allianz Arena.
The game began in lively fashion and it was clear the winter break had done wonders for both sides. However it would be Die Löwen who would have the brighter start; but Daniel Adlung and Daylon Claasen would spurn their chances leaving the scoreline level. However the longer the game went on the more the higher placed away side grew into the game. But just the same as 1860 had, Heidenheim wasted their chances, Adriano Grimaldi failing the really test Ortega Moreno on two occasions. Heidenheim nearly took the lead in comical fashion after an overhit pass from Maximilian Wittek; but Moreno was at hand to save the left fullbacks blushes.
But against the run of play it would be the hosts that would break the deadlock, through none other than star man Rubin Okotie himself. Heidenheim central defender, Tim Göhlert was judged to have handled the ball; up stepped the big Austrian and he deftly chipped the ball down the centre. The same Okotie had previously missed a penalty in the reverse fixture earlier the season.
The goal seemed to take all life out of the visitors, who had been growing in confidence before Okotie's goal and Die Löwen would remain in the lead at half-time. However, it wouldn't take long for the away side to hit back in the second half.
A good Heidenheim move resulted in captain, Schnatterer having time to pick out Göhlert in the box, who slotted past Moreno at the first time of asking. The defender atoning for his previous error leading to the penalty, and leaving the game wide open. Things got even worse for the hosts only ten minutes later after a clumsy tackle by 1860 midfielder, Ilie Sánchez, led to the Spaniard recieving his second yellow card and thus his marching orders.
The sending off inspired Heidenheim and only two minutes later they'd completed the comeback and were ahead for the first time in the match. Former Die Löwen striker, Florian Niederlechner followed in at the back post to score his ninth of the campaign. After the sending off and second goal for Heidenheim, 1860 offered no threat towards Rouven Sattelmaier in the Heidenheim. If anything it was the visitors who looked more likely to extend their lead, going close through Philip Heise and Voglsammer but Moreno did well once again and kept Die Löwen only one goal behind.
1860 Munich remain in 16th, with only Erzgebirge Aue and St. Pauli below them in the table currently; Next up is a trip to high-flying Darmstadt 98. For Heidenheim, it's a great start to the Rückrunde, they rise up into 8th place, the visit of Karlsruher is next up for Frank Schmidt's side.