Borussia's U19s will kick off the 2022/23 Bundesliga season with a derby against Schalke 04 on Sunday 14 August. This edition of the West German Championship, which ends on 11 March 2023, will see the teams face each other only once (with no return fixtures). The German Championship final will take place on 23 April 2023, with the DFB-Pokal final rounding off the season a week later on 30 April.

"We're not happy with the decision. There is a fundamental problem in German youth football: our youngsters have too few games at the highest level. In other countries, there is a full program of matches despite corona," explained Borussia's academy director Lars Ricken. Most clubs will therefore only play 15 competitive games. Ricken added that unlike other clubs, BVB can make up for this lack of matches compared to overseas competitors by playing in the UEFA Youth League (six games guaranteed) and the DFB-Pokal. The club also releases many players for international matches, where they must perform. The U19s played 42 competitive matches last season – by far the most in German youth football.

B-Juniors away to promoted Deutz 05 in opening round

The B-Juniors will kick off their Bundesliga campaign on 14 August. Coach Karsten Gorges' team are away to promoted Deutz 05 in the opening round, with their first home game to follow against VfL Bochum on 20 August. The match against reigning German U17 champions FC Schalke 04 will take place at the Brackel youth centre on 30 October. Going forward, the U17s will play an increasing number of friendlies against strong opposition to promote individual development.

Lars Ricken is excited by the fact the U19s will start their season with a derby. "The senses will be sharpened right away. Now the boys know what they have to prepare for over the coming weeks," said the academy director.

The U19s' Bundesliga schedule:

14/08/22: BVB vs. Schalke 04
21.08.22: VfB Hilden vs. BVB
28.08.22: BVB vs. RW Essen
03.09.22: SC Verl vs. BVB
02.10.22: BVB vs. Bonner SC
09.10.22: SC Paderborn vs. BVB
30.10.22: BVB vs. Viktoria Köln
06.11.22: Fortuna Düsseldorf vs. BVB
12.11.22: BVB vs. Preußen Münster
19.11.22: VfL Bochum vs. BVB
04.12.22: BVB vs. MSV Duisburg
19.02.23. RW Oberhausen vs. BVB
26.02.23: BVB vs. 1. FC Köln
04.03.23: BVB vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach
11.03.23: Bayer Leverkusen vs. BVB