U23s continue winning run against 1. FC Cologne

The Borussia Dortmund U23s' ranks were bolstered by three players from the senior squad – Alexander Isak, Dzenis Burnic and Sergio Gomez – on Matchday 10 of the Regionalliga West. The other change to the starting XI was Herbert Bockhorn, who did not feature in Marienborn. The 1. FC Cologne second team also included players from the senior squad, with coach Markus Daum naming Simon Zoller and Benno Schmitz in his starting XI.

Both teams made a quiet start to the match in front of 665 spectators at the Rote Erde Stadium. The first noteworthy moment of the match came about when Simon Zoller narrowly failed to convert a good cross for the visitors in the 17th minute. Meanwhile, the Black & Yellows initially struggled going forward, with Julian Schwermann's attempt from around 25 metres the biggest threat they posed in the first 20 minutes.

Both sides denied by the woodwork

In the 21st minute, a collective murmur could be heard around the Rote Erde Stadium as Sören Dieckmann outjumped his marker and headed a Sergio Gomez cross goalbound, only to be denied by the crossbar. The danger was cleared by the Cologne defence and the Billy Goats swiftly launched a counter-attack which culminated in Roman Prokoph also hitting the woodwork before the ball went behind for a goal-kick.

But the breakthrough finally came on the 31-minute mark when Alexander Isak opened the scoring, slotting home after provider Philipp Hanke had beaten three opponents during a surging solo run down the right flank. BVB soon created the opportunity to double their advantage, though Alexander Isak missed the ball by centimetres and the half-time whistle sounded with the hosts narrowly but deservedly in front.

BVB, who made a change at the beginning of the second half as Marco Rente replaced Amos Pieper in central defence, dominated proceedings after the interval without ever really carving open gilt-edged opportunities. Alexander Isak tested Cologne custodian Jan Bartels in the 51st minute, though the 19-year-old made a comfortable stop.

Bockhorn extends lead

Fast-forward two minutes, however, and Bartels was picking the ball out of the net. Another Philipp Hanke cross set up Herbert Bockhorn, whose header made it 2-0. Coach Siewert singled out Hanke's contribution for special praise after the final whistle. BVB appeared to really settle into their groove after scoring their second goal, with Cologne having barely a second to breathe as they dealt with the increasing volume of defensive duties.

Centre-back Luca Kilian had the chance to put the game to bed following a corner in the 69th minute, but he was taken by surprise at the back post that the ball had made its way through and his shot went narrowly wide of the mark. He went one better in the 75th minute, however, connecting with an inch-perfect cross from Sören Dieckmann to wrap up the three points. Sergio Gomez was subsequently brought off and the young Spaniard was replaced by Joseph Boyamba, who scored two goals last time out. Borussia maintained their comfortable lead and did not give their opponents a sniff for the remainder of the match, holding out for their fourth consecutive win and cementing their position as one of the leading lights in the Regionalliga West.

"Big compliment for the performances in the last few days"

BVB coach Jan Siewert was very satisfied with his team's performance after the match. "We were in the game more in the second half. The spaces became bigger and we could dominate the match. Big compliment to my team for their performances in the last few days."

The Black & Yellows are next in Regionalliga action this coming Saturday, when they travel to TV Herkenrath in Bergisch-Gladbach (kick-off 15:30 CET). That match will be followed by another extended break.

BVB U23s: Oelschlägel – Hanke (Ametov, 85), Pieper (Rente, 46), Kilian, Dieckmann – Schwermann, Konate, Burnic – Gomez (Boyamba, 76), Isak, Bockhorn
Goals: 1-0 Isak (31), 2-0 Bockhorn (53), 3-0 Kilian (75)
Timo Lammert