After three victories in a row, Dortmund failed to get past the newly promoted team with a 0-0 draw. The runners-up lacked a lot.
Once again there was a murmur in the visitors’ block, where Borussia Dortmund’s fans had gathered. BVB striker Niclas Füllkrug fired a shot from 16 meters with the full instep, Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Müller took off and scraped the ball out of the corner.
That scene took place five minutes before the final whistle and was far too late a momentum boost for BVB as the 20th Bundesliga matchday got underway. After three wins at the start of the year, BVB were held to a 0-0 draw by the promoted side on Friday evening. A first setback in the attempt to save themselves in the Champions League after a botched first half of the season.
In addition to the long-term injuries to Karim Adeyemi, Julian Ryerson, Felix Nmecha and Africa Cup participant Sebastien Haller, coach Edin Terzic had to do without an important quartet. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and the attacking midfielders Julian Brandt and Marco Reus had to withdraw due to illness. Returning player Jadon Sancho complained of muscle problems
Terzic had to make one change from the 3-1 win against VfL Bochum. His compatriot Jamie Bynoe-Gittens replaced Sancho in the starting eleven. The 41-year-old also reverted to a front two of Füllkrug and Youssoufa Moukoko.
Julian Brandt’s quick-witted passes, Jadon Sancho’s surprising dribbles – these special individual skills would have done Dortmund good in Heidenheim. It was a tough affair from BVB’s point of view from the very first minute, in which even the compact Heidenheim side were able to set the tone, albeit aided by Salih Özcan’s blunder.
BVB lack structure against Heidenheim
The midfielder actually wanted to pass to captain Niklas Süle, a routine task. But the ball ended up right in the path of Tim Kleindienst. Heidenheim’s attacker shot at the empty goal from 14 meters, Meyer had moved out to the side. But the ball flew just over to the left (14′). And the hosts also had the second major opportunity in the Voith Arena, which was sold out with 15,000 spectators. Again it was Kleindienst, this time with a header.
Dortmund had little to counter this. While they had often lacked precision in the final third of the game in their previous three appearances in 2024, the runners-up did not even get that far into their opponents’ half on Friday. There was a lack of structure, and it was predominantly a case of hoping for individual actions. But runs like the one by Bynoe-Gittens fizzled out.
BVB: Malen’s goal is taken back
Only one attack was successful. When Thomas Meunier won the ball back after a mistake of his own, Niklas Süle managed an opening pass and the ball reached Donyell Malen via Marcel Sabitzer and Moukoko. The Dutchman had started deep, rounded goalkeeper Kevin Müller and slotted home from an acute angle (26′). Great jubilation.
But referee Bastian Dankert (Rostock) had something against it, much more: video assistant Felix Brych, who had observed Malen standing offside. Dankert took back the supposed opening goal. The goal did not give Dortmund any new confidence, let alone dominance.
After the break, Dortmund continued to strive for pace, but failed to bring it to the pitch. A bicycle kick from Bynoe-Gittnes after a cross from Thomas Meunier (56′) was the only noteworthy finish for a long time, as Heidenheim were able to maintain their defensive stability and structure.
BVB still without momentum after the break against Heidenheim
Terzic reacted. Marius Wolf, Emre Can and debutant Ole Pohlmann from the U23s came on for the weak Meunier, Özcan and the overhasty Bynoe-Gittens. In the course of the second half, Heidenheim once again became dangerous on the counter-attack, but the newly promoted side failed to play it out consistently. After Füllkrug’s shot, Heidenheim’s Stefan Schimmer even missed the winning goal by a whisker (90.+1).
BVB’s attack, meanwhile, showed no sign of any concept of how Dortmund intended to overcome Heidenheim’s bulwark. The first setback of the new year was sealed
