Heidenheim vs. Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | Pre Match

New Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac is set to take charge of the club for the first time on Saturday when his side travel to Voith-Arena to face Heidenheim in the Bundesliga. Kovac’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dortmund, who are desperate to find stability and claw their way back up the league table after a turbulent start to 2025.

Heidenheim currently occupy the league’s 16th-placed relegation playoff spot with 14 points and are facing a battle for survival after a difficult campaign. Their latest outing, a 2-1 defeat against Augsburg on January 25, further exposed their vulnerabilities, particularly in defense. Conceding stoppage-time goals in both halves proved costly, and it was the second consecutive matchweek in which they let in a goal in the 92nd minute, highlighting their struggles with concentration and game management in crucial moments.

While Heidenheim are four points from guaranteed safety, they remain perilously close to the automatic relegation spots, sitting just two points above 17th-placed Holstein Kiel. The fight to remain in the Bundesliga will require immediate improvements, especially in defense, where Frank Schmidt’s side have leaked seven goals in their last three matches. Their form has been worrying, as despite losing only two of their last four games, they were also beaten in eight of their previous nine fixtures before that.

On home turf, Heidenheim have shown glimpses of improvement in recent weeks, securing one win and one draw in their last three matches at Voith-Arena. However, their struggles at home were evident earlier in the season, with four consecutive defeats in prior home outings. Schmidt will be hoping his players can rediscover their resilience against a Dortmund side that is still adjusting under their new boss.

Dortmund, on the other hand, enter this match under new leadership following the appointment of Niko Kovac. The former Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and Wolfsburg coach replaces Nuri Sahin, who was dismissed after a disastrous run of four consecutive defeats at the start of 2025, including three in the Bundesliga. This poor stretch left Dortmund languishing in 10th place before their recent 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen helped them salvage a point, albeit under challenging circumstances.

In that match against Bremen, Dortmund showcased fighting spirit, managing to secure a draw despite playing with 10 men for nearly 70 minutes after Nico Schlotterbeck’s early red card. This result suggested a renewed sense of resilience, something Kovac will need to harness as he attempts to revive their Bundesliga campaign.

Dortmund also recently sealed a Champions League round of 16 playoff spot, overcoming Shakhtar Donetsk with a convincing 3-1 victory on Wednesday. Their European journey continues as they prepare to face either Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge in a high-stakes playoff to secure a place in the next phase of the competition. With continental ambitions still alive, Kovac will have to balance domestic recovery with maintaining Dortmund’s presence on the European stage.

Despite their struggles, BVB remain just six points off fourth-placed Stuttgart, who currently hold the Bundesliga’s final Champions League qualification spot. However, their defensive frailties have been a major concern, with Dortmund conceding 33 goals so far this season—making them the fifth-worst defensive side among the league’s top 14 teams.

Kovac’s men come into this fixture on the back of four winless Bundesliga games, having lost three and drawn one. Their away form has been particularly alarming, with Dortmund suffering defeat in eight of their last 11 Bundesliga road trips. In that stretch, they have only managed one victory, making this visit to Heidenheim a tricky prospect despite their superior squad quality.

When the two sides met earlier this season on September 13, Dortmund secured a 4-2 victory, a result they will hope to replicate. However, Heidenheim have shown they can be difficult to break down at home, meaning Kovac’s tactical acumen will be put to the test in his debut game as Dortmund manager.

In terms of team news, Heidenheim will be without midfielder Julian Niehues, who is sidelined until late February due to a cruciate ligament injury. Niklas Dorsch is also unavailable and is not expected to return until March. These absences leave Schmidt with limited options in central midfield, and he may once again rely on Luca Kerber and Jan Schoppner to form the double pivot, as they have done in the last two matches.

Further up the pitch, Paul Wanner and Frans Kratzig could be deployed as the wide attackers to support striker Budu Zivzivadze, especially as winger Mathias Honsak remains a doubt due to a muscle injury. Schmidt will need his frontline to be clinical if Heidenheim are to capitalize on Dortmund’s defensive struggles.

As for Dortmund, their defensive woes are compounded by the suspension of centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who received a red card in the previous match. This leaves a gap in central defense, especially with Niklas Sule also unavailable due to an ankle injury. Kovac may be forced to deploy Emre Can in the backline alongside Waldemar Anton to compensate for these absences.

Midfield reinforcements are also necessary, as Felix Nmecha has been ruled out until March due to a knee injury. This situation could see Pascal Gross and Marcel Sabitzer partnering in midfield, tasked with providing stability and linking defense to attack. Kovac’s midfield selections will be crucial in ensuring Dortmund maintain control against a Heidenheim side that will look to exploit any gaps.

Offensively, Dortmund will rely on their attacking talents to make the difference. The likes of Julian Brandt, Donyell Malen, and Niclas Füllkrug will be expected to provide the cutting edge up front. Brandt, in particular, has been one of Dortmund’s more consistent performers this season, and his creativity will be key in breaking down Heidenheim’s defensive setup.

Kovac’s tactical approach in this match will be under scrutiny, as he looks to implement his style and address Dortmund’s defensive shortcomings while maintaining their attacking prowess. The visitors must be wary of Heidenheim’s set-piece threats and their ability to capitalize on defensive lapses, which have been Dortmund’s Achilles' heel throughout the season.

Ultimately, this game presents a fresh start for Borussia Dortmund under Kovac. While the transition may take time, securing three points against a struggling Heidenheim side could serve as the perfect confidence booster. However, with Heidenheim fighting for survival and showing resilience at home, this fixture could be more challenging than it appears on paper. Dortmund must approach it with caution and discipline if they are to begin the Kovac era with a much-needed victory.