Pre-Match Report
U23s in action against experienced SV Sandhausen
BVB personnel: The long-term injury absentees aside, Jan Zimmermann has all his players available. Moses Otuali left BVB for Eintracht Frankfurt II at the beginning of September.
Stats and facts on the home team: SV Sandhausen will be without regular shot-stopper Nikolai Rehnen due to a meniscus operation. He will be replaced in the squad by an experienced third-tier goalie in Timo Königsmann. Experienced is the right keyword, because SVS have put together a very experienced squad that contains players who have played many games in the higher-division 2. Bundesliga and also in the 3. Liga. In addition, the Serb Sreto Ristic took over the coaching reins in the summer.
The start to the season has gone well: victories against Osnabrück and Saarbrücken were followed by a tough cup battle against second-tier Köln that ended in a penalty shootout defeat. The first loss then came against Hannover II, followed by a 1-1 draw with Arminia Bielefeld. That all makes for sixth place and seven points after four matchdays.
Head-to-head record: Overall, there have been four meetings between the teams. Three victories have gone to SV Sandhausen, while the BVB U23s have won once. The Black & Yellows came close to winning in Sandhausen, which is located seven kilometres south of Heidelberg, last season. Borussia led 2-1 up until the 86th minute, only to succumb to a 3-2 defeat in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Sandhausen also came from behind at the Rote Erde to claim an away victory.
Outlook: After a two-week break, it is finally time for a Borussia Dortmund U23 matchday again! The last two matches have ended 1-1, and Borussia currently occupy 11th place in the league table with five points from four rounds of matches. Nonetheless, head coach Jan Zimmermann is not completely satisfied. "If you look at our opponents, we're in a good position. However, based on how the games have gone, we could've ultimately done even better and that's exactly what we want to do."