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 the helm, the coach watched a hard-fought 3-2 (1-1) victory over relegation-threatened 1. FC Heidenheim, which cut BVB’s deficit to the record champions to six points. Munich had only managed a 2-2 draw at Hamburger SV the day before.
As has often been the case in the league under Kovac, Dortmund started off very cautiously—but unlike in recent matches, this style of play did not help them take control. Shortly before halftime, Waldemar Anton (44′) scored the 1–0 for BVB, but Julian Niehues (45’+4) equalized and then made it 2–1 (48′). Guirassy, who had been struggling for weeks (68th minute, handball penalty; 70th minute), then turned the game around with a quick-fire double. The striker missed out on a hat trick with a penalty kick (85th minute).
Kovac, who has been with BVB since February 2, 2025, and has primarily stabilized the team defensively, watched most of the game 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 evident even against the unsettled Heidenheim team.
It took a good quarter of an hour for the first highlight, when Guirassy (14th minute) shot at the 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 shot on the turn (38′). Then BVB celebrated after a corner: Anton tapped in the rebound after Diant Ramaj had fumbled the ball. 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, thanks to Niehues, tied the score at 1–1 before halftime. In the build-up to the goal, Dortmund’s Filippo Mané had fallen to the ground injured; the young Italian was unable to continue. Niklas Süle came on to replace him.
On the 1–2 goal, Süle—like the entire defense—looked poor. Niehues finished off a quick counterattack with a strong shot. BVB failed to respond at first, so Kovac brought on the fresh legs of Maximilian Beier and Carney Chukwuemeka (58th minute). Just seconds earlier, Marvin Pieringer (57th) had squandered Heidenheim’s next big chance.
Dortmund struggled to find an answer but capitalized ruthlessly on Niklas Dorsch’s handball in the penalty area. After equalizing, BVB overwhelmed the visitors; Guirassy, in particular, seemed to have found his rhythm. The striker drew the second penalty, but the Guinean chipped it into the South Stand. BVB continued to hold their breath. Arijon Ibrahimovic (90’+2) and Mikkel Kaufmann (90’+6) each missed the equalizer from close range. Between Heidenheim’s big chances, Guirassy had to leave the field in pain.
