Pre-Match Report
U23s to travel to Osnabrück
Head-to-head record: The two teams have gone head-to-head 20 times. VfL Osnabrück have won precisely half of them, while the U23s have managed only two wins against VfL (1-0 in 2006 and 2-1 in 2004). The reverse fixture in the first half-season ended in a 1-1 draw. Seven points separate the U23s and VfL in the table. BVB are in 11th place on 29 points, while 18th-placed VfL have 22 points on the board.
News from the U23 camp: After two defeats in which they failed to score against Bielefeld (4-0) and Rostock (2-0), U23 coach Jan Zimmermann wants his team to regain their attacking spark. The U23s have already netted 37 goals in the current campaign, but there have not previously been two consecutive matches without a goal. "We have to once again focus on our strengths and regain our self-confidence that way. This week, we simply let the boys kick the ball around in training in order to get their enthusiasm back." Tony Reitz, who was originally due to move to Dortmund from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer, will make the move to the Ruhr immediately due to Felix Paschke's injury and will be at the coach's disposal straightaway. Patrick Göbel will return to the squad against Osnabrück, while Felix Irorere and Julian Hettwer will join Paschke on the list of absentees.
Stats and facts on the opposition: VfL Osnabrück have kicked off the new year with a home win over Sandhausen, a draw in Aue and, most recently, a victory in Unterhaching, taking seven out of a possible nine points. The team in 18th place in the table signed Braydon Manu, a player with second and third tier experience, on loan shortly before the end of the transfer window. VfL are only one point adrift of the first non-relegation spot, which is currently occupied by RW Essen. "You can compare them a bit to Hansa Rostock: a very strong opponent who have recently really boosted their confidence. We'll be up against a team that are in good form and will have to hold our own," said Zimmermann.