Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Heidenheim: Visitors earn first Bundesliga point after battling back from 2-0 down amid VAR chaos
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Updated 02/09/2023 at 05:36 GMT
FC Heidenheim picked up their first ever Bundesliga point after an impressive comeback at Borussia Dortmund. The home side were in total command as they raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of Julian Brandt and Emre Can. But a goal from Ern Dinkci and a controversial Tim Kleindienst penalty in the second half saw the newly-promoted side earn a famous draw following defeats in their opening two matches.
Heidenheim's Eren Dinkci celebrates scoring against Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by UWE KRAFT / AFP)
Image credit: Getty Images
A wasteful Borussia Dortmund blew a 2-0 lead as Bundesliga newcomers Heidenheim fought back to earn a deserved 2-2 draw with VAR causing chaos at a sell-out Signal Iduna Park.
In the first frantic competitive meeting of the clubs on Friday night, Edin Terzic's side moved ahead after only seven minutes when Julian Brandt thumped home a delightful volley high into the net.
With VAR deeming Emre Can had not handled in the build-up to the opening goal, it was VAR who again benefited Dortmund when they moved two clear on 15 minutes.
This time the video technology decided Lennard Maloney had deployed his hands illegally to block the ball before Can stepped up to roll home the penalty as keeper Kevin Müller dived despairingly to his left.
With Dortmund failing to find the killer third goal, Frank Schmidt's spirited Heidenheim were transformed in the second period.
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Emre Can of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 at Signal Iduna Park on September 1, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany.
Image credit: Getty Images
They breathed new life into their hopes as Eren Dinkci finished brilliantly from the edge of the box on 61 minutes moments after VAR ruled out Patrick Mainka's goal for Marvin Pieringer's arm touching the ball.
Jan-Niklas Beste was then fouled with just over 10 minutes remaining of regulation time by Sébastien Haller that saw referee Tobias Reichel give offside against the visiting player before reversing his decision via VAR.
Tim Kleindienst kept his cool to convert the penalty on 82 minutes and give his side a remarkable first point of the new campaign when they looked dead and buried.
The win would have seen Dortmund go top of the table, but they are forced to settle for five points from three matches ahead of the international break amid plenty of recriminations.
Talking point – Dortmund have problems to address
Much of the focus will centre around VAR in this game, and the contentious decision to award the visiting side a late penalty after an offside call was initially awarded against Heidenheim.
But that is missing the point about what was an alarming collapse from the home team, who led 2-0 at half-time, but then appeared to lose their sense of purpose after failing to find a third goal.
"We had the game completely under control, then abandoned the structure and let it get unnecessarily wild repeatedly," Dortmund coach Edin Terzic was quoted as saying afterwards. That just about sums it up as the party mood among 80,000 home fans turned to one of disbelief then dismay.
Despite the admirable recovery from Heidenheim, a profligate Dortmund were denied the chance to go top of the Bundesliga by their own act of self-harm. They will have plenty to ponder during the international break to rectify such an underwhelming start to the season.
Player of the match – Jan-Niklas Beste (Heidenheim)
It is fair to say the visiting side needed to be at their best in Dortmund, and nobody typified their spirit more than the energised Jan-Niklas Best, who inspired his team to claim a famous point.
Was like a fitness machine in the second half to support his side's attempts to mount a comeback, and his delivery from set-piece situations is likely to be a real weapon in Heidenheim's hopes of staying among the elite this season.
Player ratings
Borussia Dortmund: Gregor Kobel 6, Nico Schlotterbeck 7, Niklas Süle 6, Ramy Bensebaini 6, Marius Wolf 6, Emre Can 6, Julian Brandt 6, Marcel Sabitzer 7, Sébastien Haller 6, Karim Adeyemi 6, Donyell Malen 6 Subs: Youssoufa Moukoko 6, Niclas Füllkrug 6, Felix Nmecha 6
Heidenheim: Kevin Müller 8, Tim Siersleben 7, Patrick Mainka 7, Norman Theuerkauf 7, Omar Haktab Traoré 7, Adrian Beck 6, Denis Thomalla 6, Lennard Maloney 7, Tim Kleindienst 7, Jan-Niklas Beste 8, Eren Dinkci 7 Subs: Nikola Dovedan 6, Marvin Pieringer 6, Florian Pick 6
Match highlights
7' GOAL FOR DORTMUND! – Julian Brandt with a stunning volley high into the net from the edge of box. Keeper couldn't get there diving in despair. Emre Can charged loose ball down and Brandt did the rest. Appeals for a handball, but VAR shows that there was nothing wrong. A 1-0 lead for the home side. What a finish.
14' PENALTY TO DORTMUND VIA VAR! – Lennard Maloney deemed guilty of the handball, and Can steps up to tuck the ball home to his left. Keeper Kevin Müller went the wrong way to his left. And that is a 2-0 lead for Dortmund.
53' VAR CHECK ON HEIDENHEIM GOAL! – Patrick Mainka scores with a header in the box after Mainka hit the post with a header, but the goal came off the arm of Marvin Pieringer and is ruled off. VAR not helping the visitors.
61' GOAL FOR HEIDENHEIM! – The underdogs are right back in the ball game. Slack, slack play by the home side and Eren Dinkçi punishes them with a thumping shot into the corner of the net. 2-1.
78' ALMOST A PENALTY FOR THE VISITORS – VAR deems Jan-Niklas Beste was offside before he was fouled by Sébastien Haller. Not decided yet on whether or not this is a penalty.
82' GOAL FOR HEIDENHEIM! – This is astonishing. Referee went to VAR for offside. Gave it offside, but then had another look at the decision and overturned the call. Tim Kleindienst converts penalty with ease and it is 2-2. Quite remarkable.
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