Match Report
U19s pick up important point away to Mainz 05
BVB impressed with a resolute defensive performance in a match that was characterised by a lot of battling and few chances. "That was a point gained. The boys fought hard against Mainz, who were physically superior," said Mike Tullberg after the match. The team had to play the final phase outnumbered after Ousmane Diallo was shown a second yellow card for protesting too vehemently.
Borussia were reunited with two former teammates at the Bruchwegstadion: Raul König was in the Mainz starting line-up, while Luke Rahmann was a substitute. König had the first chance in the 29th minute when he shot too centrally from 16 metres out, leaving Robin Lisewski with a simple save. Otherwise, the defence organised by Elias Benkara had the Mainz attack well under control for a long time. They could also rely on Robin Lisewski again, who made a spectacular foot save to prevent Daniel Imafidon from going 1-0 down (62).
Dortmund struggled to get into the game. The young team - Robin Lisewski and William Rashidi were the only senior players in the starting XI - were rather passive on a challenging surface and strung together few promising attacking moves against Mainz, who were strong in the tackle. The hosts mainly posed a threat from set-pieces. Such as two free-kicks (25/54) and a corner kick taken by Nick Cherny, after which substitute Alex Niziolek almost managed to force the ball over the line (77).
Defended with passion a player down
Ousmane Diallo, who had recently been praised by Mike Tullberg, also gritted his teeth against the uncompromising Mainz defence, who ran man-to-man against their opponents. But Borussia's striker got involved in a verbal duel with referee Elias Appel in the 72nd minute - and was shown a second yellow card. BVB defended passionately in the closing stages, but were lucky that Safyan Toure headed just over the crossbar (82).
Next Saturday (1 March, 11:00 CET), the Black & Yellows await SpVgg Unterhaching, who have dropped to the bottom of the table after losing 3-1 at home to Union Berlin, but still have every chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the German Championship. Due to Diallo's suspension, and the injuries to Thierry Fidjeu-Tazemeta and Diego Dzonga, who is once again struggling, U19 coach Tullberg will have to put together a new attacking line-up.
U19: Lisewski – Rashidi, Benkara, Reggiani, Feddersen – Kaba – Cherny (90, Cena), Inacio (84, Degener) – Etcibasi (59, Albert), Kegni (46, Ngambia, 74, Niziolek), Diallo
(wiwi)