After losing their opening two games of the season, Heidenheim’s hopes of picking up their first points of the season were dealt a massive blow when Budu Zivzivadze was given his marching orders midway through the first half. The referee had no other choice but to dismiss the forward for his studs-up challenge on Felix Nmecha, handing the visitors a numerical advantage for the majority of the contest.
Dortmund smelt blood and soon hit the front through their in-form striker Guirassy, who towered high to head in from Julian Ryerson’s inviting cross to register his fourth league goal of the season.
Heidenheim thought they had at least got through to the break with a one-goal deficit until Maximilian Beier doubled Dortmund’s advantage deep into stoppage time, tapping into the awaiting net after being neatly teed up by Karim Adeyemi.
Facing an unenviable task in the second period, Heidenheim threatened to grab a foothold when Arijon Ibrahimović’s fierce drive from distance forced Gregor Kobel to tip over the crossbar.
From Dortmund’s perspective, there was a clear drop-off in intensity in the second period, as Niko Kovac’s charges hit cruise control, perhaps with one eye on preserving energy for their midweek UEFA Champions League opener against Juventus.
With that said, the visitors still had opportunities to add gloss to their victory in the closing stages, with Carney Chukwuemeka and Nmecha both failing to hit the target from promising positions.
There was to be no third goal, but Die Schwarzgelben at least celebrated back-to-back clean sheets and a win that extends their unbeaten league run to 11 matches (W9, D2). As for struggling Heidenheim, they will finish the matchday as the only Bundesliga team without a point to their name this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
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