Pre-Match Report
BVB women face in-form Recklinghausen
The scenario
BVB made a successful return to league action last Sunday with a 4-1 away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach II. It was no easy game against a “hard-working, fighting team” (Markus Högner). “Mönchengladbach were very defensive, fought hard and were also good in transition,” said the coach. “But given our possession, control of the game and the number of chances we created, the win was ultimately deserved.” After picking up these three points, the focus now shifts entirely to the match against 1. FFC Recklinghausen.
Personnel matters
Marina Scholz, Celina Baum and Jenske Steenwijk return to the squad for next Sunday’s match after the trio had to sit out the opening fixture in the Lower Rhine region at short notice. As for captain Paula Reimann, who was also unavailable for selection in Mönchengladbach, Markus Högner says they will err on the side of caution: “She has developed Achilles tendonitis, so we don’t want to take any risks. However, I expect Paula Reimann to be able to resume training next week and then return to the pitch.” The coach also said that Sara Ito (back in team training) and Ann-Sophie Vogel (back to doing sprint drills) are likely to make their comebacks soon.
The opponent
1. FFC Recklinghausen currently sit ninth in the Regionalliga West table and secured a convincing 3-1 victory in their first competitive match of the calendar year against Deutz 05. In the first half of the season, the Borussia women won the reverse fixture comfortably 6-1, but following several departures and new signings at Recklinghausen, Markus Högner now expects a different performance from their opponents: “In addition to the transfers, the new manager Björn Sobotzki has also brought a breath of fresh air to the team. This is evident not least from the team’s commanding results during the winter break.” 1. FFC Recklinghausen are therefore expected to be an opponent that will be looking to climb further up the table in the second half of the season.
First home league match of 2026
It has now been a full 15 weeks since Borussia Dortmund’s women’s team last played a Regionalliga match at the Rote Erde Stadium. On that occasion, they had to share the points with 1. FC Köln’s U21s (1-1). The coach and the team are looking forward to finally being able to count on the vital support of the home fans again: “Even the friendly against Bayer Leverkusen around two weeks ago was well attended,” recalls Markus Högner. “Our fans are aware that we have higher ambitions and want to move up the table. Their enthusiasm for the team’s development is all the more motivating.”
The match against 1. FFC Recklinghausen, which the BVB women’s team will play in their new commemorative kit to mark the 100th anniversary of the Rote Erde Stadium, kicks off this coming Sunday at 15:00 CET. Tickets are available online for €3 (standing) or €5 (seated); the match will also be broadcast live and free of charge on Pluto TV.
Robert Targan