Berlin – Injury-hit Borussia Dortmund were held to a goalless draw at Heidenheim on Friday, dropping key points in their bid for next season’s Champions League football.
Promoted Heidenheim sat deep and frustrated Dortmund for mistakes, with the visitors looking to recapture the form that has seen them win three out of three until the start of 2024.
Dortmund, who were missing eight first-team players through injury and illness, dominated possession but apart from Donyell Malen’s first-half goal, which was shot down by VAR, were unable to break down a determined and energetic home side.
“We didn’t play well,” Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said after his side’s first goalless draw since October 2019. “With the performance we gave today, we didn’t deserve more than a point.”
Terzic said his undermanned team had “no excuses – we still had a good team on the pitch but we showed too little”. “Of course it wasn’t enough,” Dortmund forward Niclas Fuellkrug said.
“It was an away game against a team that made the situation very uncomfortable. We wanted three points and we are not satisfied.”
Home coach Frank Schmidt, who played at Heidenheim, became manager in 2007 and is now the longest-serving head coach in German history, praised his team but said “a win would be deserved.”
“Dortmund had a lot of possession but we occupied spaces well, we pressed well and stole the ball back. The way we performed today speaks for the team.
Ahead of the game, Terzic warned of a “difficult” task against promoted side Heidenheim, who came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in Dortmund in September.
Heidenheim, who are ninth in their first ever Bundesliga season, have lost just two of their 10 games at home this season. Dortmund were missing winger Jadon Sancho, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and midfielders Marco Reus and Julian Brandt.
Sancho’s absence was telling. The Manchester United loanee has found some of his best form since his return and his creativity is helping Dortmund break down stubborn defences.
Malen looked to have put the undermanned visitors ahead midway through the first half when he collected a pass from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and rounded the keeper to score.
Dortmund celebrated the Dutchman’s goal with their traveling fans, but the strike was called off after a lengthy VAR review. Heidenheim had few chances of their own but held their own.
Dortmund grew increasingly frustrated as the game wore on, Nico Schlotterbeck and Niclas Fuellkrug having their efforts saved by the energetic home keeper Kevin Mueller.
Despite the draw, Dortmund moved level on points with third-placed Stuttgart and extended their lead over fifth-placed RB Leipzig to four points. Fifth-placed Leipzig will have a chance to close the four-point gap on fourth place when they host struggling Union Berlin on Sunday.
Leaders Bayer Leverkusen will play away to last-place Darmstadt on Saturday. Bayern Munich, two points behind Leverkusen, hosts Borussia Moenchengladbach.
