Pre-Match Report
U17s await VfL Bochum to kick off Youth League campaign
"This round will be a big challenge. But we are approaching it full of self-confidence,’" assures BVB coach Karsten Gorges, who is aiming to guide his team to a top-four finish in the table. Should they do so, BVB would qualify for the knockout stages for the German Championship following the conclusion of the league phase.
Gorges draws his confidence from an almost problem-free preparation period and good friendly results. Most recently, his boys defeated strong opponents such as FSV Mainz 05 (3-1) and Eintracht Frankfurt (5-4). They also had a successful final dress rehearsal against MSV Duisburg (3-1). The squad was also strengthened during the winter break: Enzo de Pina dos Santos, 16, arrived from Luxembourg club Swift Hesperanga and immediately earned a place in the squad. "He has integrated well and is a joy to watch," says Gorges about Luxembourg's U17 international, who feels particularly comfortable in attacking midfield.
Karsten Gorges will have to do without Justin Hoy at the start of the season. Hoy, who has scored eight goals, making him the team's second top scorer after Diego Branco (13), was part of last year's championship-winning squad. He has resumed training following meniscus surgery and could be an option again in March. Luca Riedl, Marwan-Omir Mirza and Ahmad Naji, who were recently called up to the U16 Germany team, have returned in time for the derby. Luca Perri is out through injury, while Diego Branco and Niklas König are still doubtful.
Three largely unknown opponents
Gorges described VfL Bochum, who finished top of Group H with 36 points ahead of Schalke 04 (24) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (23), as a "consistent and dominant team" Defender Lasse Isbruch - like BVB goalkeeper Jan-Mattis Wehrbein and U19 midfielder Mussa Kaba - was part of the Germany U17 national team that competed in the Algarve Cup in Portugal last week and finished in second place. VfL are one of the dark horses for the German Championship in light of their team spirit.
While the Black & Yellows will meet familiar faces against Bochum and Borussia Mönchengladbach, they will also play against opponents they have not faced in recent years, such as Union Berlin (third in preliminary round Group D behind Hertha BSC and Hamburger SV), VfL Wolfsburg (top of the table in preliminary round Group E ahead of Leipzig) and 1. FC Magdeburg (third in Group E).
"That's also what makes the new competition so appealing," says Karsten Gorges, who is looking forward to an exciting league phase and is full of optimism going into the derby against Bochum: "We feel well prepared and hope for a successful start."