Hoffenheim takes early lead against Borussia Dortmund with Avdullahu’s goal

Leon Avdullahu gave Hoffenheim the lead against Borussia Dortmund on September 5, 2026, putting the hosts ahead 1-0 at the SNP Arena in Sinsheim. The 22-year-old midfielder’s strike came in a matchday 2 Bundesliga fixture that pitted two clubs with a history of producing wildly entertaining games against each other.

Avdullahu delivers on his rising stock

Avdullahu joined Hoffenheim from FC Basel in June 2025 for a fee of around €8 million. Less than a year later, the club locked him into a contract extension through 2031, a move that coincided with a reported 150% increase in his market value.

The defensive midfielder, who wears the No. 7 shirt, has evolved into a central figure in Hoffenheim’s system. His goal against Dortmund was reported around the 45th minute.

A rivalry that keeps delivering drama

In April 2026, Hoffenheim beat Dortmund 2-1. A year before that, in April 2025, Dortmund flipped the script with a 3-2 victory.

Dortmund came into this game having picked up a win on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 season. Serhou Guirassy and Julian Ryerson were among the Dortmund players tasked with breaking down a Hoffenheim side that looked organized and dangerous on the counter.

What Avdullahu’s emergence means for Hoffenheim’s season

Avdullahu fits Hoffenheim’s talent model precisely. Signed from Basel for €8 million, the contract extension through 2031 signals that Hoffenheim see him as someone to build around. Hoffenheim have now beaten Dortmund in two of their last three meetings.