Borussia Dortmund capped off coach Niko Kovac’s anniversary thanks to a two-goal performance by Serhou Guirassy and capitalized on Bayern Munich’s slip-up.
One year after taking office, the coach watched a hard-fought 3-2 (1-1) win against relegation-threatened 1. FC Heidenheim, which saw BVB cut the gap to the record champions to six points. Munich had only managed a 2-2 draw at Hamburger SV the day before.
As so often in the league under Kovac, Dortmund started off very cautiously—but unlike in recent matches, this style of play did not help them gain control. Shortly before halftime, Waldemar Anton (44′) scored the 1-0 for BVB, but Julian Niehues (45’+4) equalized and then scored the 2-1 (48′). Guirassy, who had been struggling for weeks (68th, handball penalty, 70th), then turned the game around with a quick-fire double. The striker missed out on a hat trick with a penalty kick (85th).
Kovac, who has been with BVB since February 2, 2025, and has primarily stabilized the team defensively, watched the game mostly with his arms crossed in his coaching zone. In recent weeks, BVB had often been able to rely on its individual superiority thanks to a solid defense. However, Dortmund rarely shone in terms of play, and that was also evident against the unsettled Heidenheim side.
It took a good quarter of an hour for the first highlight, with Guirassy (14th) shooting at goal from a tight angle. Otherwise, there was hardly any noticeable difference in performance; on the contrary: Heidenheim played with verve and had a huge chance through returnee Eren Dinkci (26′).
The game picked up pace; Guirassy, whom Kovac had recently encouraged once again, hit the crossbar with a turn-and-shoot (38′). Then BVB celebrated after a corner: Anton pounced on the loose ball after Diant Ramaj had dropped it. Heidenheim protested—especially because a similar play on the other end had been ruled differently earlier. Referee Matthias Jöllenbeck had disallowed a goal by Patrick Mainka (25th minute) because the Heidenheim captain had bumped into goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The visitors shook it off briefly and, through Niehues, tied the game at 1-1 before halftime. In the build-up, Dortmund’s Filippo Mané had fallen to the ground injured; the young Italian couldn’t continue. Niklas Süle came on for him.
Süle, along with the entire defense, looked poor on the 1-2 goal. Niehues finished off a quick counterattack with a strong shot. There was no immediate reaction from BVB, so Kovac brought on the fresh legs of Maximilian Beier and Carney Chukwuemeka (58th minute). Just seconds earlier, Marvin Pieringer (57′) had squandered Heidenheim’s next big chance.
Dortmund struggled to find a response but capitalized ruthlessly on Niklas Dorsch’s handball in the penalty area. After equalizing, BVB overwhelmed the visitors, with Guirassy in particular looking unstoppable. The striker drew the second penalty, but the Guinean chipped it into the south stand. BVB had to keep holding their breath. Arijon Ibrahimovic (90’+2) and Mikkel Kaufmann (90’+6) both missed the equalizer from close range. Between Heidenheim’s big chances, Guirassy had to leave the field in pain.
