Pre-Match Report
BVB Youth Team Heads into a Thrilling Weekend
Youth Matches at a Glance
U23: BVB vs. FC Gütersloh (Regionalliga West): 31 October, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Rote Erde Stadium)
U19: BVB vs. MSV Duisburg (DFB Youth League): 31 October, 2026, 11 a.m. (Youth Training Center)
U17: FC Schalke 04 – BVB (DFB Youth League): 30 October, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (Parkstadion, Parkallee 3, Gelsenkirchen)
U23 Hopes for Sixth Straight Win
The Dortmund-based Regionalliga runner-up faces two challenging tests in the coming matchdays. Coach Daniel Rios’s team will host third-place FC Gütersloh on Saturday (2 p.m.) at the Rote Erde Stadium. A win over the East Westphalians would boost morale ahead of the top-of-the-table clash a week later against the league-leading team from Oberhausen, which is tied on points. After five straight wins, Borussia appears ready for these two tough challenges and aims to maintain its status as the league’s only remaining undefeated team.
It won’t be easy. Gütersloh is the league’s strongest away team and has yet to suffer a loss on the road, with five wins and two draws. It’s no coincidence that Rios counts the visitors among the favorites in the promotion race.
With a win, Gütersloh could cut BVB’s lead to just two points.
U19 Hosts Rival Duisburg
One week after the unfortunate 0-0 draw in the Revierderby at FC Schalke, the U19s face their next challenging task. The league leaders from Dortmund will host second-place MSV Duisburg on Saturday (11 a.m.). Although the visitors have played one fewer game than BVB so far, they trail by just one point. With a win in this clash between the two teams that remain undefeated so far, they could therefore move ahead of Borussia. “This matchup will likely decide who takes first place in the group. We want to stay in first,” says BVB coach Felix Hirschnagl.
After a grueling schedule featuring three games in one week and over 11,000 kilometers of travel, his team had little time to recover recently. Now, the team has been able to focus more specifically on preparation. The coach expects a match as closely contested as the first leg in Duisburg at the end of August. Only a late equalizer by striker Bjarki Gardarsson in the 87th minute—sealing a 1-1 draw—saved the team from defeat.
The match against the “Zebras” also serves as a dress rehearsal for the team’s next challenge in the UEFA Youth League. Next Wednesday (4 November, 4:00 p.m.), Borussia will host Real Betis. After two wins and one loss on the international stage, the team aims to take the next step toward the knockout round.
U17 Aims to Knock Schalke Off Top Spot
When FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund face off, excitement is guaranteed. On Friday, the Revierderby takes on added sporting significance: Both teams will battle head-to-head for the top spot in Group G of the DFB Youth League. “This is a top-level showdown. Two very good teams are facing off. We’re ready and feeling confident,” says BVB coach Karsten Gorges.
The situation couldn’t be more exciting. Both teams have won nine of their ten matches and suffered just one loss. Thanks to a better goal differential—plus 28—Schalke sits narrowly ahead of Borussia, which has a plus 22. BVB lost the top spot three weeks ago following an unfortunate 1-2 loss in Wuppertal. Now they have the chance to reverse the standings in this head-to-head matchup. “We want to reclaim our strong position and win,” Gorges makes clear.
The match is also of great importance with regard to qualifying for the championship round. With an 11-point lead over fourth-place Duisburg, both teams have excellent prospects of advancing. The top three teams in the group qualify for the next round. With a win, the winner of the derby could secure a spot in the championship round ahead of schedule.
In terms of personnel, BVB will still be without Tim-Bakay Bojang, Janis Tunkel, and Ilyas Arzini. “They’re not an option yet, but they’re on the mend and will be available to us again soon,” explains Gorges. Athanasios Grammozis, on the other hand, will be out for even longer.