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FC Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt has guaranteed starts for his two new summer additions in this weekend’s DFB Pokal fixture. Both keeper Diant Ramaj (on loan for Borussia Dortmund) and attacker Arijon Ibrahimovic (on loan from Bayern Munich) will be in the starting XI tomorrow against fourth tier side SC Braising. Schmidt also addressed his team’s tough battle to remain in the Bundesliga this season while speaking at a Friday press conference.
Ramaj and Ibrahimovic remain the only two players of note Heidenheim have brought in this offseason. This despite the fact that the Ostalbenschwaben only narrowly avoided relegation via the playoffs. Virtually all Bundesliga pundits are picking Heidenheim for automatic relegation this year. Schmidt expressed confidence that his team could prove all the doubters wrong in just their third year ever in the German top flight.
“Maybe I’m a bit old school, but I’m always happy with the players we have,” Schmidt said. “It’s my job to work with them. We don’t get players who have already made 100 appearances in their respective leagues, but those who are on their way to developing and improving. If they then help us, that’s all the better the better.“
Schmidt also offered up specific words of praise for both Ramaj and Ibrahmovic. In the case of the latter, the FCH head coach actually denied that Ramaj’s status as the No. 1 keeper was automatically sealed. Just like anyone else on Schmidt’s squad, the outspoken Ramaj will have to work to retain his place. Schmidt even emphasized that third-choice keeper Frank Feller could contest the race once he returns from injury.
“It’s always a three-or-four-way battle,” Schmidt noted. “Frank Feller will eventually come back. You have to consider the transfer options Diant Ramaj had. I think it’s remarkable that he chose us. But none of us can rule out competition.”
“He brings a very good mentality and attitude,” Schmidt said of Ibrahmovic. “He can become a very valuable player for us as he’s very good at football and well trained.“
