Borussia Dortmund vs Heidenheim preview: Can BVB find top gear?
After failing to find their best form in their opening two games, Borussia Dortmund will be looking to produce an improved display when they face Heidenheim on Friday.
Borussia Dortmund
The Bundesliga season may only be approaching the third matchday, but Dortmund are already in need of a dominant performance after struggling in their opening two games. They required a late Donyell Malen winner to beat Koln in their league opener, before they were held to a 1-1 draw in their away meeting with Bochum.
Although Dortmund have been unconvincing in the early stages of the new season, they have managed to extend their unbeaten league run to 10 games. Edin Terizic’s side are also enjoying an impressive unbeaten streak on home turf, having avoided defeat in their last 16 home Bundesliga matches.
During that period, Dortmund have claimed 14 wins and two draws in front of their own supporters, scoring at least three goals in nine of those encounters, and they will be looking to produce another free-scoring display against their newly-promoted opponents.
Dortmund have bolstered their forward line with the addition of Niclas Füllkrug. The Germany international, who scored 16 league goals last season, has joined in a transfer worth up to €15m, and he will provide competition to Sébastien Haller and Youssoufa Moukoko.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the injured duo of Thomas Meunier and Julien Duranville, while Gio Reyna is also a doubt. After becoming Dortmund’s latest summer addition, Füllkrug could be included in the matchday squad for Friday’s contest.
Heidenheim
Heidenheim are still waiting to claim their first points in the top flight after beginning their inaugural Bundesliga campaign with consecutive defeats. After losing 2-0 to Wolfsburg in their opening match, Frank Schmidt's side looked set to bounce back with a positive result when they took a two-goal lead against Hoffenheim thanks to strikes from Jan-Niklas Beste and Marvin Pieringer.
As it proved, Heidenheim were unable to keep their opponents at bay, as Hoffenheim restored parity with 10 minutes remaining, before Andrej Kramarić converted his 90th-minute penalty to snatch all three points and leave Heidenheim with nothing to show for their efforts.
Friday's visitors are one of four Bundesliga teams yet to pick up a point this season, and they will need to improve defensively if they are to have a realistic chance of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier. Heidenheim's shaky defence will certainly be tested by a Dortmund side that has found the net in 52 consecutive home league games.
Team News
Marnon Busch, Elidon Qenaj and Jonas Föhrenbach are all expected to miss out for the visitors.