Match Report
U23’s winning streak continues
The scenario
Dortmund’s U23 team didn’t have much time to recover. Following their 4-1 victory in the Premier League International Cup against Fulham midweek, their next away match was already on the schedule: VfB Hilden, a newly promoted team that had also gotten off to a strong start to the season and remained undefeated after four matchdays.
In Bergisch Gladbach, Rios’s team had most recently secured a 3-1 victory. Despite the heavy workload, the BVB coach did not view the back-to-back games as a disadvantage. “It’s part of the players’ development that they perform at their best week after week—not just in the Premier League International Cup, but also in the league,” Rios had explained before the match.
Lineup
Compared to the 3-1 league win at SV Bergisch Gladbach, Rios made two changes to his starting lineup. Kevin Mutove and Daniel Sumbu started in place of Bennedikt Wüstenhagen and Fadi Zarqelain.
Match Summary
Borussia got off to the better start and created more chances in the first quarter-hour. However, the Black and Yellows’ finishing lacked conviction. In the 26th minute, Connor Krempicki took a shot from the edge of the box, but it sailed over the hosts’ goal. Hilden defended attentively and allowed very few opportunities.
Shortly before halftime, there were two dangerous moments in quick succession: Following a mistake by Hilden’s central defense, Kevin Mutove won the ball, rounded the goalkeeper, but stumbled as he did so and sent his shot over the crossbar while falling (42'). Just one minute later, the Dortmund player did it better. Mutove beat several defenders at the edge of the penalty area and fired the ball into the left corner to give his team a 1–0 halftime lead.
After the break, Hilden got off to the slightly better start, but Dortmund held their ground defensively and allowed very little. On the other end, the U23s had good chances to extend their lead. First, Arne Wessels was played through on the left side following a strong transition, but his shot went just wide of the goal (57'). Just one minute later, Wessels was in the thick of the action again: Sumbu was sent deep down the right flank and found his teammate at the far post. However, his shot was blocked by Nick Sangl. Ayman Azhil also tried his luck from distance but sent his shot wide.
Hilden had its best chance to equalize in the 69th minute. Pascal Weber was sent down the right flank and played a cross to Mohamed Cisse, who hit the post. Jesper Verlaat blocked Weber’s follow-up shot, and the Black and Yellows were then able to clear the danger.
In the closing stages, Dortmund grew stronger again and pushed for the winner. After a pass from Joseph Boyamba, Wüstenhagen was denied by the Hilden goalkeeper. Things took a bitter turn in the 86th minute when Wessels received his second yellow card after a shove and was sent off. Down a man, the U23s defended their narrow lead with great determination. In the 90th minute, Silas Ostrzinski made a strong reflex save to stop a shot from close range. Four minutes later, Wüstenhagen finally sealed the victory: After a fantastic solo run across the entire field, the Dortmund player kept his cool in front of the goal and slotted the ball into the far corner for the 2–0 final score.
Outlook
Once again, the U23s don’t have much time to recover. Their next Regionalliga match is already scheduled for Tuesday, September 1. Then, Daniel Rios’s team will host FC Schalke 04’s U23s for a mini-derby. Kickoff at Rote Erde Stadium is at 7:30 p.m.
Goals: 0–1 Mutove (43'), 0–2 Wüstenhagen (90+4')
U23: Ostrzinski – Fuchs, Verlaat, Quiala, Hodroj – Fahrenhorst (61. Azhil), Degener (61. Yamamoto), Krempicki (80. Boyamba) – Wessels, Sumbu (80. Riedle), Mutove (70. Wüstenhagen)
Yellow-red card: Wessels (86')