
The Football Faithful
·13. September 2025
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·13. September 2025
FC Heidenheim and Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides enter this encounter in contrasting form, with the hosts desperately seeking their first points of the campaign while the visitors look to build on their promising start to the 2025/26 season.
Heidenheim face a challenging fixture as they sit bottom of the Bundesliga table with zero points from their opening two matches. Frank Schmidt’s side suffered defeats to Wolfsburg (1-3) and RB Leipzig (0-2), managing just one goal and conceding five.
The hosts have significant injury concerns ahead of this fixture. Frank Feller remains sidelined with a knee injury that will keep him out until mid-September, while Nick Rothweiler is listed as doubtful with a muscular problem. However, there’s positive news regarding Marvin Pieringer, who has returned to team training after three months out with an ankle injury and could feature in the squad. Diant Ramaj is expected to continue in goal as the club’s new first-choice keeper.
Niko Kovač’s side have started the season in impressive form, currently sitting fourth in the table with four points from two matches. The Black and Yellows secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Union Berlin after drawing 3-3 with St. Pauli on the opening weekend.
However, Dortmund face several injury challenges. Captain Emre Can remains out with a groin injury, while Niklas Süle is sidelined until mid-October with a calf problem. Nico Schlotterbeck continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained in April, and new signing Fábio Silva is unavailable due to a muscle injury.
Julian Brandt is listed as doubtful after undergoing wrist surgery, which caused him to miss Germany’s recent international fixtures. Julien Duranville remains out with a shoulder injury.
The visitors have strengthened their squad with several notable additions, including Carney Chukwuemeka, Yan Couto, and young talent Jobe Bellingham. Newcomer Aaron Anseomino was introduced straight into the team against Union Berlin, replacing the suspended Filippo Mane, and impressed the coach.
Schmidt’s team endured a difficult start to the campaign with consecutive defeats. After losing 1-3 at home to Wolfsburg, they were beaten 2-0 away at RB Leipzig. Their attacking struggles are evident, scoring just 0.5 goals per match while conceding 2.5 goals per game in Bundesliga action.
Despite their poor league form, Heidenheim showed positive signs in cup competition with a commanding 5-0 victory over Bahlinger SC in the DFB Pokal first round. During the international break, they also played out a friendly in which they won 3-2 against Kaiserslautern.
Kovač’s side has made an encouraging start to the new season. Following their entertaining 3-3 draw with St. Pauli, where they came from behind twice, Dortmund dominated Union Berlin with a comprehensive 3-0 home victory. Serhou Guirassy has been instrumental with three goals in the opening two fixtures. The Black and Yellows have been prolific in attack, scoring six goals in their two league matches while conceding three.
FC Heidenheim: Ramaj; Busch, Mainka, Gimber, Föhrenbach; Dorsch, Schöppner; Ibrahimović, Beck, Honsak; Zivzivadze.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Anselmino, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Groß, Sabitzer, Svensson; Bellingham; Guirassy, Beier.
UK fans can follow the match on ESPN+
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