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Match Report

Real Madrid too strong for the U19s in UEFA Youth League

Borussia Dortmund's U19s missed out on the round of 16 in the UEFA Youth League and bowed out of the competition with a 2-0 defeat away to Real Madrid. Mike Tullberg's team was unable to repeat its strong performance from the league phase, when they won 2-1 at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.

The player of the game was Hugo de Llanos, who put Real on the road to victory with two headed goals in the 44th and 64th minutes. The Black & Yellows, who had the young pros Almugera Kabar, Cole Campbell and Kjell Wätjen on the pitch, gave a fighting performance, but lacked penetration in attack.

"The plan against the ball worked perfectly in the first half. I would have liked to see a bit more courage in build-up. When we did that, we had one or two moments in transition. Real hardly had any chances. But the way we allowed them the two crosses and didn't defend them in the box wasn't good and annoys me. Real were more composed, more mature and deserved to win in the end," said Mike Tullberg in summary.

BVB defended with focus, the back three of Elias Benkara, Jonas Feddersen and Luca Reggiani kept the technically skilful Spaniards largely at bay, while William Rashidi and Almugera Kabar initially dominated their opponents on the flanks. However, Dortmund's defence only held firm until the 44th minute. Kabar then allowed Real's right-back Jesus Fortea too much time and space to cross and Hugo de Llanos headed in to make it 1-0.

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The Black & Yellows worked relentlessly without the ball and initially denied Madrid the luxury of neat combination football. However, the Black & Yellows hardly managed any noteworthy actions in possession. Daniel Rios, who deputised for Mike Tullberg on the touchline after he was sent to the stands due to a yellow card suspension, called for the team to be better "prepared with the ball" early on. However, BVB nonetheless made too many passing errors overall to bring Ousmane Diallo (later Mathis Albert) and Cole Campbell into scene. The only real moment of danger for the hosts came from a free-kick taken by Cole Campbell, which resulted in Jonas Feddersen heading the ball just over the crossbar (32).

Madrid counter during BVB's best phase

The approach changed at the start of the second half. Borussia were no longer just an annoying opponent to go up against, but also an ambitious one who threatened the Real backline. In the 61st minute, Cole Campbell forced goalkeeper Javier Navarro into his first save with a shot to the near post. Just when BVB seemed to be taking control of the game, Madrid struck for a second time. Pol Fortuny lofted a cross to the far post and again it was Hugo de Llanos who stole away from Luca Reggiani and headed home to make it 2-0.

Daniel Rios reacted with a change of system, bringing on another striker in Pharell Kegni. The Dortmund youngsters tried hard, but were unable to force a comeback. "We were too passive after conceding the second goal," said Mike Tullberg. In the end, Robin Lisewski prevented defeat by an even greater margin with two strong saves.

The team can now concentrate fully on the DFB Youth League. In the new league, Borussia now face back-to-back away games: at Union Berlin on Sunday and at FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday, 22 February.

U19: Lisewski – Rashidi (72, Kegni), Benkara, Reggiani, Feddersen, Kabar – Wätjen, Kaba, Inacio (62, Cherny) – Campbell, Diallo (56, Albert)
(wiwi)

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