Match Report
U23s earn a hard-fought point away to league leaders Dresden
Scenario: After just four points from the previous seven games, the once comfortable cushion separating BVB from the relegation places had been whittled down to two points. While the Black & Yellows were looking for important points in Dresden in the battle to stay up, the 3. Liga table-toppers were hoping to extend their lead in the standings.
Personnel matters: U23 coach Zimmermann had to make do without ten players in Dresden. The 45-year-old made four changes to his starting XI compared to the 1-0 defeat away to 1860 Munich: Tony Reitz deputised for the injured Ayman Azhil in defensive midfield. Ben Hüning, Rodney Elongo-Yombo and Paul-Philipp Besong also started in place of Baran Mogultay, Babis Drakas and Jordi Paulina (all of whom moved to the bench). In addition to this trio, Zimmermann only had three other substitutes at his disposal.
The match: The U23s made a brave start to the game in the drizzly rain in Dresden and showed great endeavour from the outset. However, Elongo-Yombo's early shot on goal was too tame to pose any real threat (2). Three minutes after BVB's first venture forward, the home side had their first attacking action. The ball was worked to the feet of Niklas Hauptmann, whose shot was deflected out for a corner thanks to a last-second intervention by the outstretched leg of David Lelle..
It remained a fast-paced and lively game in which both teams continued to attack. However, Dynamo had the better chances: Hauptmann tested Dortmund goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski with a shot from the corner of the penalty area (19), then Christoph Daferner headed just wide of the target (20).
BVB tried to land blows on the counter, but Zimmermann's team lacked penetration in the final third. From the middle of the first half onwards, the 3. Liga leaders increasingly took control and pushed the U23s deep into their own half. But the Black & Yellow defence managed to hold firm. Ostrzinski clawed a shot from Aljaz Casar out with his fingertips (29), then Daferner missed two chances in the space of a few seconds (30).
Shortly before the break, BVB almost took the lead out of nowhere: Michael Eberwein directed a glancing header from a Franz Roggow cross towards goal, forcing Dynamo goalkeeper Tim Schreiber into a brilliant save (41). Down the other end, Ostrzinski impressed once again, as the keeper made a brilliant save to deny Daferner's side-footed shot (42). The teams went into the break with the score at 0-0.
Zimmermann brought on Paulina for Besong for the second half. However, the change did not translate into more or better chances at first. Dynamo continued to be the more enterprising team at the start of the second half. But the BVB defence kept fighting in front of a crowd of 24,114 spectators. One BVB player stood out in particular: Ben Hüning. The centre-back vociferously celebrated every successful defensive action.
After a good hour, Dortmund were able to open up the game a little more, but still without creating any real danger. The only moment of note was a blocked shot from Elongo-Yombo (62).
However, BVB were now much more secure at the back and barely gave the league's most prolific scorers (53 goals) a sniff at goal. The Black & Yellows defended particularly well on the flanks. The home side simply lacked the inspiration to put the well-organised BVB defence under any real pressure. It remained that way until the final whistle. Despite the point, Dortmund, who have now gone four games without a win, remain just two points clear of the relegation places.
Coach Jan Zimmermann: "This point gives us a lot of confidence. We were certainly lucky once or twice. I would have liked to see more penetration in the moments where we had space. I think the line-up today was the right fit for the opposition and the lads we had available."
Franz Roggow: "After two not-so-good games, we wanted to go for it up front and show our courage. The plan worked out. Of course, you need a bit of luck at the back, but we also had our chances. Getting a point here is an achievement in itself."
Outlook: The Black & Yellow U23s are back in action on Saturday (15 March) when they host Viktoria Köln at the Stadion Rote Erde. Kick-off is at 14:00 CET. BVB won the reverse fixture 5-3.
U23s: Ostrzinski – Lelle, Hüning, Lührs, Göbel – Roggow, Reitz (81, Aning), Eberwein – Foti, Elongo-Yombo (75, Drakas), Besong (46, Paulina)
Phillip Oldenburg