Match Report
U23s beat newly promoted Aachen 3-0
The scenario: After the opening-day win against Unterhaching, the U23s' momentum had stalled somewhat, especially in attack. Although the Black & Yellows had performed well for the most part, they were rarely rewarded on the scoresheet. While Dortmund had gone four games without a win, the visitors from Aachen were able to end their negative streak with a victory last weekend. The newly-promoted side were two points ahead of the U23s going into the game.
Personnel matters: Marcel Lotka returned to the BVB goal for the home match against Aachen. The 23-year-old replaced Silas Ostrzinski. The role of left-back was taken over by Almugera Kabar, who, like Ayman Azhil and Lotka, was in BVB's Champions League squad during the week. Baran Mogultay had to make do with a place on the bench. Antonio Foti was preferred to Rodney Elongo-Yombo up front.
The match: Driven on by the numerous fans who had travelled to support them, the Aacheners went on the attack right from the first kick of the ball. The newly promoted team stood tall, launched forward vertically and did not allow BVB to get into the game at all. Dortmund, for their part, were toothless going forward, but had everything under control defensively, so chances were few and far between in the early stages. The most notable piece of action was a shot from Aachen striker Charlison Benschop, which Lotka parried to safety (8).
As the game progressed, the action lulled considerably, with the away team failing to find a way to unlock the Dortmund defence. Down the other end, Kabar took a pop from 30 metres out, but the BVB left-back's effort was easily saved by Aachen goalkeeper Elias Bördner (26). This was the only real attacking incursion of note for the Black & Yellows, who continued to struggle offensively. The first half performance was characterised by imprecision and cheap losses of possession.
In the 35th minute, Lotka was suddenly called upon to muster his reflexes. The BVB keeper did just enough to steer a header over the crossbar with his fingertips. And the subsequent corner kick was also dangerous, but the 23-year-old again reacted brilliantly. And so it was that the two teams went into the dressing rooms with the score locked at 0-0.
Out the dressing room with a spring in the step
Dortmund emerged from the dressing room with Elongo-Yombo on in place of Foti. The change seemed to have the desired effect, as coach Zimmermann's team showed much more tenacity in the challenges, pressed higher and unlocked more of an attacking spark. Elongo-Yombo got involved straight away, but his first shot soared over the target (57). He perhaps should have picked out Julian Hettwer, who was in a better position. Shortly afterwards, BVB were able to celebrate the opening goal with their 4,00 fans: winger Babis Drakas broke free down the right flank and then fired an unstoppable effort into the back of the net.
Suddenly it was all BVB. Just three minutes after the goal, Drakas played in the onrushing Elongo-Yombo, whose shot on goal was denied by Börner. The visitors were all at sea, and it soon got worse: Jan-Luca Rumpf felled Hettwer, who was through on goal, and was duly shown a red card for a last-man challenge (64).
Everything now seemed to be going in the home side's favour, but Aachen almost struck out of nowhere while outnumbered. El-Faouzi's vicious effort on the half-volley from the edge of the penalty area required Lotka to make another excellent save. Shortly afterwards, Hettwer put paid to any hopes the promoted team had of taking points home with them from Dortmund. A cross from the right-hand side found its way to the BVB attacker, who volleyed the ball into the net from close range to make it 2-0 (79). Substitute Cole Campbell then increased the advantage to 3-0 for BVB seven minutes before the end.
Only Kabar's injury marred the joy of the second win of the season. The left-back, who was hit in the face making a tackle and was substituted late on, suffered a broken nose.
Marcel Lotka: "It was important that we kept a clean sheet. Especially against Alemannia Aachen, who are an unpleasant team to go up against. We're of course delighted with the three points. That's a good way to start an English week. Now we just have to keep going and take the euphoria with us."
Outlook: The U23s now face a tough local clash during the week. On Wednesday, 25 September, the Black & Yellows will travel to Hafenstrasse to face Rot-Weiss Essen. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 CEST.
Red card: Rumpf (64)
Goals: 1-0 Brakas (58), 2-0 Hettwer (79), 3-0 Campbell (83)
U23: Lotka – Kabar (74, Mogultay), Hüning, Lührs, Jessen (70, Göbel) - Roggow, Azhil (70, Paschke), Foti (46, Elongo-Yombo) – Hettwer, Drakas (70, Campbell), Eberwein
