Borussia Dortmund moved to the top of the Bundesliga table on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Heidenheim, secured by first-half goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier.
The result puts Niko Kovač’s side in pole position ahead of Bayern Munich’s late kickoff in the Topspiel.
The game turned in Dortmund’s favour midway through the opening half when Heidenheim were reduced to ten men, a moment that shifted control firmly to the visitors.
Early red card shapes the match
Kovač made four changes from the side that beat Union Berlin before the international break, with Julian Ryerson, Pascal Groß, Felix Nmecha and Karim Adeyemi all starting.
Adeyemi and Nmecha helped Borussia Dortmund go top of the Bundesliga table with 2-0 win over Heidenheim – Getty image
Dortmund pushed forward from the outset, with Adeyemi’s early run forcing on-loan goalkeeper Diant Ramaj into action.
Heidenheim held their grounds until Budu Zivzivadze was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Nmecha.
Dortmund wasted little time capitalising, as Guirassy rose to meet Ryerson’s deep cross and guided a header into the net just 11 minutes after the dismissal.
Beier doubles the advantage
The advantage was extended in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Adeyemi drove past Benedikt Gimber and unselfishly squared the ball to Beier, who finished calmly to make it 2-0.
From there, Dortmund dictated the game without needing to chase further goals.
Guirassy came close again shortly after the hour mark, forcing a strong save from Ramaj, while late substitute Carney Chukwuemeka fired over as the visitors controlled possession to see out the win.
Professional, if unspectacular
While not their most fluid display, Dortmund handled the occasion professionally at a venue that has often troubled visiting sides.
The Voith-Arena has been a difficult ground in recent seasons, but die Schwarzgelben left with maximum points and the psychological boost of climbing above Bayern in the standings, regardless if it’s temporarily.