Benjamin Hoffmann's team has had to delay qualification to the final round for the German Championship by one week due to a 0-1 defeat against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.

The BVB team strengthened by the pros Felix Passlack and Alexander Isak struggled in the first half against an Oberhausen team that defended very agressively. The team did not take enough risks and they didn't create any good chances on goal. The guests played a different game and they managed to mount one or two counter attacks where they came dangerously close in front of Eike Bansen's goal.

Borussia upped the tempo  and put  more pressure on in the second half, they were braver and they created a lot of chances on goal. However the guests from RWO were always dangerous on the counter and they hit the BVB post early on in the second half.

The goal threat posed by long term injury casualty Jakob Bruun Larsen was missing again and again. Isak hit the post (57.) and could also not get the ball past the guest goalkeeper, who showed a good reaction save (67.). At this stage BVB was in control of the game and the opponent, the spectators were just waiting for them to take the lead.

But then came the 82. mnute. First of all the guests hit the post after a nice swift counter attack, but then Kurt managed to get to the rebound and make it 0-1. BVB put on more pressure, they created more chances on goal, but they just didn't have that cutting edge. In the end the guests came away with the win and they appeared altogether as a tighter unit.

The Head Coach had this to say after the game: "we didn't even get into the game in the first half, we were too lacklustre. After the break we played much better. Unfortunately luck was not on our side. Then to everyone's surprise we went behind - but Oberhausen thoroughly deserved their lead, because they really put their heart into the game."

Now BVB has the great opportunity on Saturday (13:00 hrs) to qualify for  the final round for the German Championship again in Duisburg. This is the third match-ball in three weeks. Hoffmann: "we have difficult games every week, we have to work hard for every victory. The last two games were unlucky for us - now we want to turn it around against Duisburg."

The comeback of Janni Serra is also a big boost for him: "that is a great feeling for everyone. You can already tell how important he can be for us."

BVB, who also lost top spot in the league after time added on in the game Leverkusen v Schalke 04, because Schalke scored the winning goal in the 92. minute. BVB can qualify as second in the table, but in order to do that they need to beat MSV Duisburg away from home. (jv)