Match Report
U23 Earns a Point in Top Regionalliga Match
Team News
Following their first loss of the season (0-1 against Gütersloh), BVB coach Daniel Rios made five changes to his starting lineup for the top-of-the-table clash at Rot-Weiß Oberhausen: Filippo Mane, Ayman Azhil, and the offensively potent Arne Wessels (2 goals, 5 assists) and Tim Degener (3/6) were brought into the team. They replaced Luca Reggiani, Takato Yamamoto, Connor Krempicki, and Mathis Albert. In addition, starting goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski returned between the posts for the Black and Yellows.
Match Summary
The top match of the Regionalliga West drew 6,116 fans to the stadium on the Lower Rhine—a season-high attendance. Due to the large crowd, kickoff was delayed by seven minutes. On the field, however, the action was intense right from the start. Oberhausen initially looked much more incisive in their attacks, but BVB held their ground with great determination and made it difficult for the hosts to create dangerous chances. Vega Zambrano had the best opportunity in the opening phase, but his shot from a tight angle was saved by Silas Ostrzinski (14th minute).
RWO continued to hold a slight advantage on the field. In the 27th minute, Jesper Verlaat made a last-ditch block on a shot by Nils Winter. The veteran then loudly celebrated his successful save. Offensively, BVB—which was certainly trying to create opportunities through their play—struggled to find their rhythm. The Black and Yellows’ play was marked by giving the ball away too quickly. It wasn’t until the 38th minute that the U23s had their first shot on goal, courtesy of Verlaat. Shortly afterward, Kevin Mutove sent the ball wide of the goal following a cross from Enzo dos Santos, who had been played in beautifully (42').
Dortmund came out of the locker room with a bit more determination and had their first chance through Tim Degener (46th minute). But the left-footed player’s shot from 18 meters out in a central position lacked power. In a match characterized by tactical discipline and numerous duels, BVB kept trying but struggled to create scoring opportunities. In the final third, Rios’s team—just like RWO—lacked the necessary cutting edge. That was no coincidence: With 16 (BVB) and 13 goals conceded (RWO), respectively, both teams are the league’s strongest defensively.
Daniel Rios brought in fresh legs twenty minutes before the end: Connor Krempicki, Diego Ngambia, and Bennedikt Wüstenhagen were brought on to inject some new energy into the offense. At first, however, it was the hosts who made their presence felt once again. A pass from Ostrzinski found RWO forward Burinyuy Nyuydine, whose shot from 16 meters was decisively deflected by Filippo Mane (74'). Six minutes later, a shot by Winter whizzed past the BVB goal by a hair’s breadth.
Dortmund was now coming under increasing pressure. First, Ostrzinski made a brilliant save on a header from close range (85'), then Mane cleared the ball off the line (86'). In the end, the match ended in a scoreless draw. RWO thus defended its top spot in the standings and remains three points ahead of the U23s.
Outlook
The U23s’ next challenge awaits after the international break: On Friday, 20 November, BVB will host Sportfreunde Lotte (live on LEAGUES). Kickoff at Rote Erde Stadium is at 7:30 p.m.
U23: Ostrzinski – Fuchs, Verlaat, Mane, Hodroj – Azhil, Degener (70’ Krempicki), dos Santos – Wessels (70’ Ngambia), Zarqelain (82’ Sumbu), Mutove (70’ Wüstenhagen)
Goals: None