1. FC Heidenheim 0 - 2 FT Borussia Dortmund

Ten Men, No Mercy: Dortmund Dismantles Heidenheim in Relegation Dogfight

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. An early red card for Budu Zivzivadze exposes Heidenheim's fragility in a match that crystallises the brutal stakes of the relegation battle.

Catastrophe strikes early

Minute 21. Zivzivadze is dismissed for a foul, leaving Heidenheim in an impossible position. From that moment, the outcome was ordained. Defending with ten players against Dortmund's suffocating intensity proved futile. The Voith-Arena became a stage for unrelenting Black and Yellow dominance—a masterclass in exploiting numerical advantage.

Guirassy and Beier deliver the knockout blows

Serhou Guirassy capitalised on the man advantage in the 33rd minute, expertly set up by Jadon Ryerson. Before half-time, Maximilian Beier sealed it with a second, courtesy of Karim Adeyemi's assist. Dortmund's 75% possession and 17 shots painted a picture of complete control; Heidenheim's meagre six attempts and 0.40 xG exposed the true balance—or rather, the total absence of it.

Ramaj fights a losing battle

Diant Ramaj was Heidenheim's lone bright spot, making six crucial saves to prevent an even more humiliating scoreline. His 9.3 rating stands as a monument to his defiance in a hopeless cause. Ramy Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton formed an impenetrable Dortmund rearguard, suffocating every Heidenheim attack at source.

Heidenheim's plight deepens: three games, three defeats, one goal scored. Languishing on 18th with zero points, they face an existential crisis. Dortmund, meanwhile, consolidates second place with 7 points from 3 matches—a statement of intent.

Survival Instincts Tested by Dortmund's Stars

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 40/100. A desperate Heidenheim must find a way to stifle a clinical Borussia Dortmund side to keep their head above water in the relegation battle.

The Setup

The Stakes could not be higher for 1. FC Heidenheim as they welcome the giants from Westphalia to the Voith-Arena. Sitting in 16th place, the hosts are embroiled in a grueling fight for Bundesliga safety. While their recent Form shows flashes of resilience, facing a Borussia Dortmund side that possesses immense Stars is a daunting task. Dortmund arrives in fine fettle, boasting a squad with superior Balance and the tactical flexibility to break down low blocks. For Heidenheim, this is a crunch match where every duel won could be the difference between survival and the drop.

Key Battle

The tactical heart of this match lies in the duel between Heidenheim's Leo Scienza and Dortmund's creative engine Julian Brandt. Scienza has been a rare bright spark for the home side, providing the transition threat needed to punish top-tier opponents. However, Brandt’s ability to find pockets of space between the lines often dictates the tempo for BVB. If Heidenheim cannot disrupt Brandt's distribution, their back line will be under constant siege from Dortmund's clinical finishers.

Our Prediction

Dortmund's technical superiority is expected to overwhelm Heidenheim's defensive structure as the game progresses. While the hosts will likely rely on set-pieces and counter-attacks, the sheer volume of chances created by Serhou Guirassy and his supporting cast should prove decisive. We anticipate a professional display from the visitors, resulting in a 1-3 victory that keeps their title hopes alive while leaving Heidenheim in precarious territory.