Match Report
U19 stays on track with a convincing 5-0 victory
Roster
Goalkeeper Aaron Held and field players Tim Degener and Fadi Zarqelain from the U23 team bolstered the depleted U19 squad. In addition to the long-term injured players (Peniel Poba, Johann Jaensch, Mats Brauckmann, Amine Leffite), coach Felix Hirschnagl also had to do without Marwan Mirza (ankle), Lenni Strößner (muscle issues), and Luis Alaze (cold). In addition, defensive leader Jan-Luca Riedl, who was carrying an injury, was missing from the lineup compared to the 2-3 loss in the Youth League opener. Center back Giorgos Zisopoulos from the U17 team made his U19 debut. Striker Bjarki Gardarsson returned to the center of the attack after a prolonged absence due to illness.
Match Summary
Following the unfortunate 2-3 loss to FC Villarreal, the Black and Yellows were already under pressure to deliver a win in Norway. The hosts had kicked off their campaign in Europe’s premier youth competition with a 1-6 loss to FC Bayern Munich. So it came as no surprise that both teams largely neutralized each other during a cautious opening phase. Luke Fahrenhorst had the first shot on goal (5th minute), while Bodø/Glimt created their first chance in the 21st minute. BVB responded with a dangerous long-range shot by Miguel Adje, which goalkeeper Andersen saved.
After that, the Black and Yellows took control of the game on the artificial turf at Aspmyra Stadium and set the stage for victory with a quick one-two punch: Bjarki Gardarsson coolly finished off a spectacular combination play in the 28th minute to make it 1–0, and Justin Hoy followed with a penalty kick to make it 2–0 after the skillful Fadi Zarqelain was fouled (36th minute). Bodø’s excellent goalkeeper Andersen prevented the score from becoming 0–3 just before the halftime whistle with a strong save against Gardarsson.
After the break, the hosts briefly threatened to pull one back following a lapse in the BVB defense, but almost immediately on the counterattack, Gardarsson scored the 3-0—and effectively sealed the victory—after a fine cross from Zarqelain. Despite a few lineup changes, the lads never lost their rhythm and continued to push the pace against the now-overwhelmed hosts. Tim Degener capitalized on a pass from Till Burkhardt in the 79th minute to make it 4–0. Luke Fahrenhorst put the finishing touch on the match in the 89th minute with a confidently converted penalty kick for a handball.
Quote
Felix Hirschnagl: “Congratulations to the lads. We had a ton of control, were really aggressive, and took a step forward. However, I still sense a drop in intensity during the 90 minutes. We need to work on that. But overall, it was a very solid performance.”
Outlook
For the U19s, the second half of the season in the DFB Youth League begins on Saturday (Oct. 17, 1 p.m.) with a home game against RW Oberhausen. In the UEFA Youth League, action continues next Tuesday (Oct. 20, 1 p.m.) in Baku against Sabah FK. The tripleheader wraps up with the derby at FC Schalke 04 (Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.).
U19: Held – Vogt, Ritter, Zisopoulos (66’ König), Adje (66’ Burkhardt) – Faust, Fahrenhorst, Degener – Zarqelain, Gardarsson (66’ Najdi), Hoy (71’ Goldberg)
(wiwi)