20th matchday: Without ideas, without shine: Dortmund’s zero number in Heidenheim

Borussia Dortmund’s race to catch up in the Bundesliga has taken a hit after a performance without any playful sparkle. As in the first leg, the runner-up had to be content with just one point in the 0-0 draw against the strong home team 1. FC Heidenheim.

Although BVB remained unbeaten for the sixth time in a row, Edin Terzić’s weakened team was unable to temporarily climb to third place in the table. Even with the 2-2 draw in the first meeting, Dortmund had already lost important points in the fight for the targeted Champions League places despite a 2-0 half-time lead.

Without winter newcomer Jadon Sancho, who had to sit out due to muscular problems, and Marco Reus, Julian Brandt and Gregor Kobel, who were missing due to illness, Borussia had a difficult time. For long stretches there was a lack of penetration against Heidenheim, who had not been defeated for the seventh time in a row. Only once did BVB recognize a gap in the Voith Arena, which was sold out with 15,000 spectators, but Donyell Malen’s goal was not recognized because it was offside (26th minute).

Heidenheim defends compactly and is dangerous

FCH coach Frank Schmidt felt great anticipation among himself and his team in the run-up to Heidenheim’s second Friday evening game in Bundesliga history. “Garnished with floodlights on the Schlossberg, it’s a real highlight. But we don’t want to draw too many eyes,” he said, demanding high intensity and few mistakes in their forward movement from his team. His team complied with the demand, started bravely and instead pushed Salih Özcan into a bad pass that had almost serious consequences. However, Tim Kleindienst shot past the empty goal (14th).

For a long time there was little from the guests against Heidenheimer, who defended compactly and were always lurking. They presented themselves without creative ideas and with errors. It was only after 26 minutes that things became dangerous for the first time – and how: Malen took off after a fine pass and shot the ball into the net. However, the video referee took back the supposed 1-0.

Nevertheless: Now BVB’s offensive actions became a little more determined. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, the only change from the 3-1 win against VfL Bochum, tested Kevin Müller from a distance. National striker Niclas Füllkrug, who once again formed a double leadership team with Youssoufa Moukoko, also couldn’t find a way past the FCH goalkeeper.

Terzić accents without effect

Malen and Bynoe-Gittens remained the most noticeable Borussia players even after the break. With the first shot, Malen took a corner. The Sancho representative then tried an overhead kick, but Müller was there again (57′).

Terzić reacted and made three substitutions. But the game wasn’t any better to watch afterward, because the Bundesliga newcomer Heidenheim earned the point as far as he could and thanks to his great commitment and kept putting the needle in his own hands. In the final phase, keeper Müller proved to be a safe support when a shot from Füllkrug (86′).