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U19s suffer 2-1 defeat ahead of semi-final

Borussia's U19s lost 2-1 at SC Paderborn on the final matchday of the A-Junioren Bundesliga West. However, the slip-up does not detract from their outstanding season, which included a third consecutive western championship and a new points record for the league phase (70).

Coach Mike Tullberg rotated heavily ahead of Thursday's semi-final first leg for the German championship against Hertha BSC (kick-off: 18:30 CEST at the Youth Performance Centre). Kjell Wätjen was in the first team squad, while Ousmane Diallo and Elias Benkara were called in to strengthen the U17s in the B-Junioren final on Sunday. Injured captain Filippo Mané was also missing. Key players such as Leo Posadas, Paris Brunner, Danylo Krevsun, Rafael Lubach, Cole Campbell and Almugera Kabar only played one half. "It was about not risking injuries and giving the guys who don't get to play so often some match practice," said Tullberg.

BVB, in large part thanks to Cole Campbell, who was again outstanding in the first half, created many chances against the ambitious and strong Paderborn side, especially through Alex Niziolek and Marlon Ubani, but only Paris Brunner scored, hitting the back of the net with a penalty in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Paderborn took a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute through Paul Kohlstaedt after an individual mistake in the Dortmund defence, before Luis Engelns extended the lead to 2-0 in the 50th minute when Borussia's defensive block was caught out of position.

Mike Tullberg will probably not have the almost complete squad at his disposal until Tuesday. Then he can seriously start the detailed preparations for the semi-final first leg. "That hasn't been possible so far because we've had to withdraw a lot of players and have only been able to work with a small group in training," said Tullberg.

Facing Hertha BSC for the third time in a row

BVB will need two top performances against Hertha BSC, the Bundesliga North/North-East champions, on Thursday and in the second leg on Whit Monday (kick-off: 11:00 CEST) to reach the final. "A strong opponent with a very good team across every position," said Tullberg about the Berlin-based side, who drew 2-2 with Dynamo Dresden in their last Bundesliga match as they too rested key players.

Both clubs will meet in the finals for the third time in a row. In 2022, Borussia triumphed 2-1 in the final, and last year they celebrated a 4-0 victory in the semi-final first leg in Berlin, while Hertha only managed a 1-0 consolation win in the second leg.

In the second semi-final match for the German A-Junioren Championship, TSG Hoffenheim, the champions of the South/South-West division, will face Borussia Mönchengladbach, the runners-up in the West, on Wednesday and Sunday.

BVB: Lisewski – Ubani, Meiser (Rahmann, 54), Adamczyk, Kabar (Posadas, 46) – Lubach (Rashidi, 46), Korzynietz – Onofrietti – Herrmann (Krevsun, 46), Niziolek, Campbell (Brunner, 46).

(wiwi)

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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Youth Football","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-3304a94386":{"dc:description":"Fond memories, great anticipation. 106 days after their historic victory over Real Madrid in the final, Borussia Dortmund returns to the Premier League International Cup (PLIC). For BVB\u2019s youth team, the prestigious U21 tournament kicks off on Wednesday evening (20:00. CEST, live on BVB-TV) as the defending champions. Their first opponent will be FC Fulham in West London.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/25/Bravely-embarking-on-the-mission-to-defend-the-title-BVB-Youth-Team-strikes-again-at-the-PLIC.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Bravely embarking on the mission to defend the title! BVB Youth Team strikes again at the PLIC ","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-25T08:27:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/25/Bravely-embarking-on-the-mission-to-defend-the-title-BVB-Youth-Team-strikes-again-at-the-PLIC.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/05/12/spielbericht-plic/Pokal-PLIC.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"25.08.26 08:27 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Fond memories, great anticipation. 106 days after their historic victory over Real Madrid in the final, Borussia Dortmund returns to the Premier League International Cup (PLIC). For BVB\u2019s youth team, the prestigious U21 tournament kicks off on Wednesday evening (20:00. CEST, live on BVB-TV) as the defending champions. Their first opponent will be FC Fulham in West London.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Fond memories, great anticipation. 106 days after their historic victory over Real Madrid in the final, Borussia Dortmund returns to the Premier League International Cup (PLIC). For BVB\u2019s youth team, the prestigious U21 tournament kicks off on Wednesday evening (20:00. CEST, live on BVB-TV) as the defending champions. Their first opponent will be FC Fulham in West London.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"\u201cWe competed for the first time \u2013 and won right away. That was extraordinary. Now we\u2019ll see how far we can go this time,\u201d says Thomas Broich, athletic director of the youth academy, looking ahead to the next international challenge in England. <\/p>\n<h2>Only the second German team to win the title<\/h2>\nAs only the second German team after FC Bayern Munich (2018\u201319), Borussia Dortmund emerged victorious right on its debut in the tournament, which has been held since the 2014\u201315 season. Particularly noteworthy: The Dortmund team was often younger than its opponents. In the final, the average age of the BVB squad was just over 19, while Real Madrid\u2019s was a good 21. That bodes well for their mission to defend the title. <\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Mannschaft-PLIC-1787582133301\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/05/12/spielbericht-plic/Mannschaft-PLIC.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2>The Schedule for Group C<\/h2>\nOn their planned path to the knockout round, BVB will face exclusively English U21 opponents this time:<\/p>\n27 Aug.: Fulham FC \n145 Dec.: Aston Villa \n18 Dec.: Leicester City \n21 Dec.: Nottingham Forest<\/p>\nThe PLIC format:<\/b> 32 teams \u2013 16 English youth teams and 16 top international clubs \u2013 first compete in the group stage and then in the knockout rounds. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals. In the event of a tie, the standings are determined first by goal difference, then by goals scored, and finally by a dedicated fair play ranking. <\/p>\n<h2>Rios motivates the team<\/h2>\nDaniel Rios, who is coaching the Dortmund team for their opener in England, is rallying his team for the challenging tasks ahead. \u201cWhat will change is that our opponents will be even more motivated when facing the defending champions,\u201d believes the U23 coach. However, he does not view the status of defending champions as a burden: \u201cIt would be a shame if the team went into this game feeling tense. We should enjoy it. I hope the lads embrace this situation. It\u2019s a privilege to compete there as the defending champions.\u201d<\/p>\nAt Dortmund\u2019s youth academy, the PLIC is primarily viewed as a valuable platform for development. The matches at the international level offer the young players additional experience. \u201cWe definitely have four top-tier matches in the group stage. We\u2019re looking forward to them. The lads have the opportunity to prove themselves and take the next step,\u201d says Rios.<\/p>\n<h2>Strong record from last season<\/h2>\nA look back at last season shows that the competition has recently been a success story for BVB. After victories over Leeds United (3\u20130), West Ham United (2\u20131), and AFC Sunderland (3\u20131), as well as a loss to Manchester United (0\u20132), Dortmund secured first place in the group. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Everton FC 2\u20130, before also beating Real Sociedad 2\u20130 in the semifinals. In the final against Real Madrid, BVB ultimately capped off its debut PLIC season with the title.<\/p>\n<h2>The roster<\/h2>\nBVB traditionally relies on a mix of U19 and U23 players. However, since the U19 team is playing at MSV Duisburg on Wednesday as part of the DFB Youth League, the Dortmund squad this time consists primarily of U23 players.<\/p>\nThe team is bolstered by four players who were most recently part of the professional squad: Mathis Albert, Kaua Prates, Luca Reggiani, and Justin Lerma. They are joined by U19 players Luke Fahrenhorst and Jan-Luca Riedl. Beni Ngyombo, Felix Paschke, and Pharell Kegni are unavailable due to injury.<\/p>\nThe age rule stipulates that all field players \u2013 with two exceptions \u2013 as well as the goalkeeper must have been born after 1 January 2005. <\/p>\nBVB Youth Team: <\/b>Silas Ostrzinski, Aaron Held, Jan-Luca Riedl, Luca Reggiani, Elias Benkara, Jesper Verlaat, Kaua Prates, Luke Fahrenhorst, Ayman Azhil, Takato Yamamoto, Tim Degener, Arne Wessels, Fadi Zarqelain, Justin Lerma, Connor Krempicki, Mathis Albert, Diego Ngambia<\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"\u201cWe competed for the first time \u2013 and won right away. That was extraordinary. Now we\u2019ll see how far we can go this time,\u201d says Thomas Broich, athletic director of the youth academy, looking ahead to the next international challenge in England. <\/p>\n<h2>Only the second German team to win the title<\/h2>\nAs only the second German team after FC Bayern Munich (2018\u201319), Borussia Dortmund emerged victorious right on its debut in the tournament, which has been held since the 2014\u201315 season. Particularly noteworthy: The Dortmund team was often younger than its opponents. In the final, the average age of the BVB squad was just over 19, while Real Madrid\u2019s was a good 21. That bodes well for their mission to defend the title. <\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Mannschaft-PLIC-1787582133301\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/05/12/spielbericht-plic/Mannschaft-PLIC.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2>The Schedule for Group C<\/h2>\nOn their planned path to the knockout round, BVB will face exclusively English U21 opponents this time:<\/p>\n27 Aug.: Fulham FC \n145 Dec.: Aston Villa \n18 Dec.: Leicester City \n21 Dec.: Nottingham Forest<\/p>\nThe PLIC format:<\/b> 32 teams \u2013 16 English youth teams and 16 top international clubs \u2013 first compete in the group stage and then in the knockout rounds. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals. In the event of a tie, the standings are determined first by goal difference, then by goals scored, and finally by a dedicated fair play ranking. <\/p>\n<h2>Rios motivates the team<\/h2>\nDaniel Rios, who is coaching the Dortmund team for their opener in England, is rallying his team for the challenging tasks ahead. \u201cWhat will change is that our opponents will be even more motivated when facing the defending champions,\u201d believes the U23 coach. However, he does not view the status of defending champions as a burden: \u201cIt would be a shame if the team went into this game feeling tense. We should enjoy it. I hope the lads embrace this situation. It\u2019s a privilege to compete there as the defending champions.\u201d<\/p>\nAt Dortmund\u2019s youth academy, the PLIC is primarily viewed as a valuable platform for development. The matches at the international level offer the young players additional experience. \u201cWe definitely have four top-tier matches in the group stage. We\u2019re looking forward to them. The lads have the opportunity to prove themselves and take the next step,\u201d says Rios.<\/p>\n<h2>Strong record from last season<\/h2>\nA look back at last season shows that the competition has recently been a success story for BVB. After victories over Leeds United (3\u20130), West Ham United (2\u20131), and AFC Sunderland (3\u20131), as well as a loss to Manchester United (0\u20132), Dortmund secured first place in the group. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Everton FC 2\u20130, before also beating Real Sociedad 2\u20130 in the semifinals. In the final against Real Madrid, BVB ultimately capped off its debut PLIC season with the title.<\/p>\n<h2>The roster<\/h2>\nBVB traditionally relies on a mix of U19 and U23 players. However, since the U19 team is playing at MSV Duisburg on Wednesday as part of the DFB Youth League, the Dortmund squad this time consists primarily of U23 players.<\/p>\nThe team is bolstered by four players who were most recently part of the professional squad: Mathis Albert, Kaua Prates, Luca Reggiani, and Justin Lerma. They are joined by U19 players Luke Fahrenhorst and Jan-Luca Riedl. Beni Ngyombo, Felix Paschke, and Pharell Kegni are unavailable due to injury.<\/p>\nThe age rule stipulates that all field players \u2013 with two exceptions \u2013 as well as the goalkeeper must have been born after 1 January 2005. <\/p>\nBVB Youth Team: <\/b>Silas Ostrzinski, Aaron Held, Jan-Luca Riedl, Luca Reggiani, Elias Benkara, Jesper Verlaat, Kaua Prates, Luke Fahrenhorst, Ayman Azhil, Takato Yamamoto, Tim Degener, Arne Wessels, Fadi Zarqelain, Justin Lerma, Connor Krempicki, Mathis Albert, Diego Ngambia<\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-3304a94386","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Bravely embarking on the mission to defend the title! 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{"subCategory":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"subCategory","title":"Departments","multiValue":true,"value":"Professionals","exportedType":"text/plain"},"dataLayer":{"editable-4313265134":{"dc:description":"Gregor Kobel is entering his sixth season in black and yellow. In this interview, the Swiss player talks about the 2026 World Cup, his path to Dortmund, and his hunger for titles.<\/p>\n","xdm:linkURL":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/24/Interview-with-Gregor-Kobel-I-Play-to-Win.html","@type":"/apps/bvbweb/components/newssliderelements/editable","dc:title":"Interview with Gregor Kobel: \u201cI Play to Win\u201d","repo:modifyDate":"2026-08-24T13:23:00Z"}},"displayTag":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayTag","title":"Display Department","multiValue":true,"value":[""],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"metadescription":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"metadescription","title":"Meta Description","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"linkTarget":"_self","link":"https://www.bvb.de/de/en/news/news-overview/news.html/2026/8/24/Interview-with-Gregor-Kobel-I-Play-to-Win.html","stageImages":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"stageImages","title":"Image (Stage Image)","multiValue":true,"value":["/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-4.jpg"],"exportedType":"text/plain"},"experience":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"experience","title":"Experience Fragment","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"appExport":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"appExport","title":"App Export (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"showDate":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"calendar","name":"showDate","title":"Show Date and Time (CET)","multiValue":false,"value":"24.08.26 13:23 Z","exportedType":"calendar"},"teaserText":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"teaserText","html":"Gregor Kobel is entering his sixth season in black and yellow. In this interview, the Swiss player talks about the 2026 World Cup, his path to Dortmund, and his hunger for titles.<\/p>\n","title":"Teaser Text","multiValue":false,"value":"Gregor Kobel is entering his sixth season in black and yellow. In this interview, the Swiss player talks about the 2026 World Cup, his path to Dortmund, and his hunger for titles.","exportedType":"text/html"},"scheduledPush":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"scheduledPush","title":"Scheduled Push Notification?","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"disableAdsOnNewsPage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"disableAdsOnNewsPage","title":"Disable Ads on News Page","multiValue":false,"value":false,"exportedType":"boolean"},"text":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"string","name":"text","html":"<h2>Kobel\u2019s Journey to BVB \n<\/h2>\nThe Swiss goalkeeper joined BVB in the summer of 2021. Only Emre Can has been with the club longer\u2014since January 2020. Kobel has played 217 competitive matches in black and yellow. A milestone awaits the 28-year-old right at the start of the league season: his 200th Bundesliga match. <\/p>\nGregor Kobel is a symbol of reliability and has become the face of the team. In the 2025\u201326 season, he was the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga; in four of the past five seasons, he was named the league\u2019s best goalkeeper.<\/p>\nNiko Kovac says of him: \u201cHe\u2019s done a fantastic job here, even before I arrived. We have a great goalkeeper on our team. He exudes calm and composure and makes the saves he needs to make. And when a superhuman save is required, he\u2019s capable of that, too.\u201d<\/p>\nIs a statement like that confirmation of years of hard work? \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s really nice to hear something like that, especially from my own coach. He\u2019s been through quite a few clubs and seen a lot. That\u2019s why a statement like that means a great deal to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-3-1787570696278\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-3.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2>From Zurich to Dortmund<\/h2>\nThe son of a former first-team ice hockey player was born in Zurich on St. Nicholas Day in 1997 and came up through the ranks at Grasshopper Club. In 2014, at the age of sixteen, he joined the youth academy at TSG Hoffenheim. After making his first appearances with the first team under coach Julian Nagelsmann, he was loaned to FC Augsburg in January 2019, where he played in 16 of 17 possible second-half matches. In the summer of 2019, he transferred to VfB Stuttgart, then a second-division club. He helped the club earn promotion to the Bundesliga a year later. Since 2021, the 1.96-meter-tall athlete has been under contract with Borussia Dortmund; his contract was extended early through June 2028. <\/p>\nJust how big of a step was the move to BVB, really? Have your expectations and hopes been fulfilled? \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to play for BVB on the field. We\u2019ve experienced many wonderful moments and many tough ones. I\u2019m grateful for every day that I get to play my sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-6-1787570713705\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-6.jpg\"><\/p>\nAt what age did you first become aware of BVB? \n <\/b>\u201cEarly \u2013 very early. We\u2019ve had a few Swiss lads here who played very well and enjoyed great success \u2013 whether it was Stéphane Chapuisat, Alex Frei, or Philipp Degen, who is my agent today.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cLet\u2019s see what we can pull off.\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\nYou reached the Champions League final with BVB and played in the Club World Cup\u2014all great memories. But there\u2019s still something missing that you can actually hold in your hands\u2026 \n <\/b>\u201cAs an ambitious athlete, you always play to win trophies. Unfortunately, we haven\u2019t managed that, even though we came very close in the league in 2023 and in the Champions League in 2024. But I still think we\u2019ve experienced a lot of wonderful and positive things so far. And I still have two years left on my contract here. Let\u2019s see what we can accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\nWhat influence did your parents have on your career? People say you would have made a good hockey player, too. You started playing soccer when your mother was taking tennis lessons\u2026 \n <\/b>\u201cNext to my mom\u2019s tennis club was the soccer field\u2014and that\u2019s where I got to watch soccer and then wanted to be out there on the field with my classmates. Later, when it came time to commit to soccer and the goal of becoming a pro was very clear, my dad played a big role because he knew the professional game and was able to teach me a lot. I\u2019m very grateful to my parents for everything they\u2019ve given me.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-1787570871555\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview.jpg\"><\/p>\nWhat can professional soccer players learn from athletes in other sports? \n <\/b>\u201cYou can take something away from most sports: the mindset, the work ethic, and all the effort you have to put in. I like to draw inspiration from other athletes and other sports.\u201d<\/p>\nYou left home at 16, moving from Zurich to Hoffenheim. What was that like? \n <\/b>\u201cLooking back, it was a very, very big step, one I wasn\u2019t really aware of at the time. Today I can say: It was great for me to live on my own, to be responsible for myself, and to manage my own money. Growing up like that taught me a lot\u2014including for my sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>A Historic Summer <\/h2>\nIn Hoffenheim, the young Gregor Kobel had the experienced Oliver Baumann ahead of him\u2014and in him, an outstanding mentor. Twelve years later, their paths nearly crossed again. While the German Baumann was benched shortly before the World Cup (and proved to be an exceptional member of the team), Kobel and the Swiss made the World Cup their own. Their dream didn\u2019t end until the quarterfinals. <\/p>\nNumerous saves by Gregor Kobel during the 120 minutes against Colombia and a save in the penalty shootout propelled the Swiss into the round of the world\u2019s top eight teams. For the first time since 1954, Switzerland reached a World Cup quarterfinal. Seventy-two years later, Kobel followed in the footsteps of the legendary Swiss national team goalkeeper Eugène Parlier.<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Messi-1787570760711\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/07/12/wm-update-viertelfinale/Kobel-Messi.jpg\"><\/p>\nWhat memories of the 2026 World Cup will stick with you the most? \n <\/b>\u201cIt was very special to be able to play in a tournament like this. You really feel the significance and the power that a tournament like this embodies. And then playing the final matches in different cities was a great experience for me, and I\u2019m very happy that I was able to help my team. I\u2019m very proud of the lads. They really did a great job. And yes, it was a cool achievement that we were all able to celebrate together.\u201d<\/p>\nThe number one at BVB, the number one on the national team \u2013 at 28, have you reached the point you dreamed of as a little boy? \n <\/b>\u201cRight now, in my day-to-day work, I\u2019m way too immersed in the moment to be thinking about things like that. I want to be successful; I want to be successful with Borussia Dortmund. We have big plans for this year; we have a lot of new players whom we need to support and help find their feet at Borussia Dortmund. So I\u2019m really looking forward to those challenges\u2014and everything else is a long way off. When you play for Borussia Dortmund, sooner or later you want to win titles. You want to win every game\u2014whether it\u2019s a practice match, a friendly, or a league game.\u201d<\/p>\n<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpuFc1_phdk\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Watch the video<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>The 2025\u201326 Season in Numbers<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>73 percent of shots saved \u2013 best among all goalkeepers (at least two-thirds of playing time)<\/li>\n<li>52 percent save percentage \u2013 tied with Noah Atubolu for the league\u2019s best<\/li>\n<li>34 goals conceded in 34 games \u2013 no major blunders<\/li>\n<li>15 shutouts \u2013 a Bundesliga best and club record (tying Weidenfeller\u2019s 2011\u201312 mark)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<img data-assetref=\"Abwehr-15-1787570821433\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/05/18/saison-fakten/Abwehr-15.jpg\"><\/p>\nAccording to kicker<\/i>, Kobel is the league\u2019s best goalkeeper in 2025/26 and ranks first on the \u201cGerman Soccer Rankings.\u201d Kobel is ahead of Atubolu (Freiburg), Heuer Fernandes (HSV), Urbig (Munich), Backhaus (Bremen, now Freiburg), and Nicolas (Gladbach).<\/p>\nWhat does this award mean to you? \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful for anyone to receive recognition for their hard work, for everything they\u2019ve invested and accomplished. First and foremost, I try to play my game and help the team succeed. Everything else just comes along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cAs Long as the Drive Is There\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\nA pecking order that\u2019s been established over the years\u2014Manuel Neuer at the very top, followed by the other established players\u2014has been completely shaken up. How do you see that? \n <\/b>\u201cFor a very long time, I was one of the youngest goalkeepers in the league\u2014almost unusually so. Now it\u2019s nice to see a few younger ones coming up who are also performing well and showing what they\u2019re capable of. It\u2019s also important for Germany that a few very good goalkeepers are coming up. Manu (Manuel Neuer, Ed.) was Germany\u2019s number one goalkeeper for years. He put in some incredible performances.\u201d<\/p>\nHow long do you plan to play? Neuer is still going strong at 40. \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful when you can make a career out of your sport. It\u2019s worth enjoying it for as long as possible, as long as you can still perform at the top level. And I\u2019m still relatively young for a goalkeeper. As long as the drive is there and your body holds up, you can certainly keep playing as a goalkeeper for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\nHas the best phase of your career just begun? \n <\/b>\u201cIf you compare it to others, you could say that a goalkeeper\u2019s best years are from 28 to 34. I\u2019m still very committed to continuing to work on myself, staying motivated, having fun, and wanting to help the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-2-1787570847243\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-2.jpg\"><\/p>\nSome game strategies require teams to build up play from inside the penalty area in a risky manner. How risky do you think it should be? \n <\/b>\u201cIt always depends on the circumstances. So you can\u2019t give a blanket answer.\u201d How often does a play actually go all the way from your own goal to the opponent\u2019s goal? It\u2019s extremely rare. This, too, must be taken into account when weighing how much risk to take. You have to maintain a certain degree of flexibility in your play. Who are you playing against? What formation are they using? How is the team performing right now? What phase of the game are you in? Is the opponent on the offensive right now? There are so many factors to consider. How is your teammate playing today? How hard is he being pressed? You have to assess all of that and then make the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\nYou haven\u2019t missed a game in almost two years now\u2014coincidence or the result of preventive measures? \n <\/b>\u201cWith such a high workload, you get to know your body very well and know what to listen for and how best to react. I\u2019ve made some adjustments. This three-day rhythm demands more from you, especially with all the traveling. It\u2019s no coincidence that I\u2019m now in this long stretch where I can play consistently. It takes a lot of dedication, a good team, but also a good balance\u2014a certain sense of ease.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cI play to win at home, too\u201d<\/h2>\nThe 28-year-old lives just outside Dortmund with his fiancée and their one-year-old daughter. At home, he can unwind. He reads books\u2014preferably biographies.<\/p>\nGreg, we know that after losses, your resting heart rate is 180. Does that also apply to losing board games in the comfort of your own home? \n<\/b> \u201cI\u2019ve become more laid-back and can take it a bit more easily now. But even at home, I play to win\u2014that\u2019s for sure\u2026\u201d \n Interview: Boris Rupert \n Photos: Hendrik Deckers<\/i><\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-5-1787570860386\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-5.jpg\"><\/p>\n","title":"Text","multiValue":false,"value":"<h2>Kobel\u2019s Journey to BVB \n<\/h2>\nThe Swiss goalkeeper joined BVB in the summer of 2021. Only Emre Can has been with the club longer\u2014since January 2020. Kobel has played 217 competitive matches in black and yellow. A milestone awaits the 28-year-old right at the start of the league season: his 200th Bundesliga match. <\/p>\nGregor Kobel is a symbol of reliability and has become the face of the team. In the 2025\u201326 season, he was the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga; in four of the past five seasons, he was named the league\u2019s best goalkeeper.<\/p>\nNiko Kovac says of him: \u201cHe\u2019s done a fantastic job here, even before I arrived. We have a great goalkeeper on our team. He exudes calm and composure and makes the saves he needs to make. And when a superhuman save is required, he\u2019s capable of that, too.\u201d<\/p>\nIs a statement like that confirmation of years of hard work? \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s really nice to hear something like that, especially from my own coach. He\u2019s been through quite a few clubs and seen a lot. That\u2019s why a statement like that means a great deal to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-3-1787570696278\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-3.jpg\"><\/p>\n<h2>From Zurich to Dortmund<\/h2>\nThe son of a former first-team ice hockey player was born in Zurich on St. Nicholas Day in 1997 and came up through the ranks at Grasshopper Club. In 2014, at the age of sixteen, he joined the youth academy at TSG Hoffenheim. After making his first appearances with the first team under coach Julian Nagelsmann, he was loaned to FC Augsburg in January 2019, where he played in 16 of 17 possible second-half matches. In the summer of 2019, he transferred to VfB Stuttgart, then a second-division club. He helped the club earn promotion to the Bundesliga a year later. Since 2021, the 1.96-meter-tall athlete has been under contract with Borussia Dortmund; his contract was extended early through June 2028. <\/p>\nJust how big of a step was the move to BVB, really? Have your expectations and hopes been fulfilled? \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to play for BVB on the field. We\u2019ve experienced many wonderful moments and many tough ones. I\u2019m grateful for every day that I get to play my sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-6-1787570713705\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-6.jpg\"><\/p>\nAt what age did you first become aware of BVB? \n <\/b>\u201cEarly \u2013 very early. We\u2019ve had a few Swiss lads here who played very well and enjoyed great success \u2013 whether it was Stéphane Chapuisat, Alex Frei, or Philipp Degen, who is my agent today.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cLet\u2019s see what we can pull off.\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\nYou reached the Champions League final with BVB and played in the Club World Cup\u2014all great memories. But there\u2019s still something missing that you can actually hold in your hands\u2026 \n <\/b>\u201cAs an ambitious athlete, you always play to win trophies. Unfortunately, we haven\u2019t managed that, even though we came very close in the league in 2023 and in the Champions League in 2024. But I still think we\u2019ve experienced a lot of wonderful and positive things so far. And I still have two years left on my contract here. Let\u2019s see what we can accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\nWhat influence did your parents have on your career? People say you would have made a good hockey player, too. You started playing soccer when your mother was taking tennis lessons\u2026 \n <\/b>\u201cNext to my mom\u2019s tennis club was the soccer field\u2014and that\u2019s where I got to watch soccer and then wanted to be out there on the field with my classmates. Later, when it came time to commit to soccer and the goal of becoming a pro was very clear, my dad played a big role because he knew the professional game and was able to teach me a lot. I\u2019m very grateful to my parents for everything they\u2019ve given me.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-1787570871555\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview.jpg\"><\/p>\nWhat can professional soccer players learn from athletes in other sports? \n <\/b>\u201cYou can take something away from most sports: the mindset, the work ethic, and all the effort you have to put in. I like to draw inspiration from other athletes and other sports.\u201d<\/p>\nYou left home at 16, moving from Zurich to Hoffenheim. What was that like? \n <\/b>\u201cLooking back, it was a very, very big step, one I wasn\u2019t really aware of at the time. Today I can say: It was great for me to live on my own, to be responsible for myself, and to manage my own money. Growing up like that taught me a lot\u2014including for my sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>A Historic Summer <\/h2>\nIn Hoffenheim, the young Gregor Kobel had the experienced Oliver Baumann ahead of him\u2014and in him, an outstanding mentor. Twelve years later, their paths nearly crossed again. While the German Baumann was benched shortly before the World Cup (and proved to be an exceptional member of the team), Kobel and the Swiss made the World Cup their own. Their dream didn\u2019t end until the quarterfinals. <\/p>\nNumerous saves by Gregor Kobel during the 120 minutes against Colombia and a save in the penalty shootout propelled the Swiss into the round of the world\u2019s top eight teams. For the first time since 1954, Switzerland reached a World Cup quarterfinal. Seventy-two years later, Kobel followed in the footsteps of the legendary Swiss national team goalkeeper Eugène Parlier.<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Messi-1787570760711\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/07/12/wm-update-viertelfinale/Kobel-Messi.jpg\"><\/p>\nWhat memories of the 2026 World Cup will stick with you the most? \n <\/b>\u201cIt was very special to be able to play in a tournament like this. You really feel the significance and the power that a tournament like this embodies. And then playing the final matches in different cities was a great experience for me, and I\u2019m very happy that I was able to help my team. I\u2019m very proud of the lads. They really did a great job. And yes, it was a cool achievement that we were all able to celebrate together.\u201d<\/p>\nThe number one at BVB, the number one on the national team \u2013 at 28, have you reached the point you dreamed of as a little boy? \n <\/b>\u201cRight now, in my day-to-day work, I\u2019m way too immersed in the moment to be thinking about things like that. I want to be successful; I want to be successful with Borussia Dortmund. We have big plans for this year; we have a lot of new players whom we need to support and help find their feet at Borussia Dortmund. So I\u2019m really looking forward to those challenges\u2014and everything else is a long way off. When you play for Borussia Dortmund, sooner or later you want to win titles. You want to win every game\u2014whether it\u2019s a practice match, a friendly, or a league game.\u201d<\/p>\n<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpuFc1_phdk\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Watch the video<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>The 2025\u201326 Season in Numbers<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>73 percent of shots saved \u2013 best among all goalkeepers (at least two-thirds of playing time)<\/li>\n<li>52 percent save percentage \u2013 tied with Noah Atubolu for the league\u2019s best<\/li>\n<li>34 goals conceded in 34 games \u2013 no major blunders<\/li>\n<li>15 shutouts \u2013 a Bundesliga best and club record (tying Weidenfeller\u2019s 2011\u201312 mark)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<img data-assetref=\"Abwehr-15-1787570821433\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/05/18/saison-fakten/Abwehr-15.jpg\"><\/p>\nAccording to kicker<\/i>, Kobel is the league\u2019s best goalkeeper in 2025/26 and ranks first on the \u201cGerman Soccer Rankings.\u201d Kobel is ahead of Atubolu (Freiburg), Heuer Fernandes (HSV), Urbig (Munich), Backhaus (Bremen, now Freiburg), and Nicolas (Gladbach).<\/p>\nWhat does this award mean to you? \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful for anyone to receive recognition for their hard work, for everything they\u2019ve invested and accomplished. First and foremost, I try to play my game and help the team succeed. Everything else just comes along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cAs Long as the Drive Is There\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\nA pecking order that\u2019s been established over the years\u2014Manuel Neuer at the very top, followed by the other established players\u2014has been completely shaken up. How do you see that? \n <\/b>\u201cFor a very long time, I was one of the youngest goalkeepers in the league\u2014almost unusually so. Now it\u2019s nice to see a few younger ones coming up who are also performing well and showing what they\u2019re capable of. It\u2019s also important for Germany that a few very good goalkeepers are coming up. Manu (Manuel Neuer, Ed.) was Germany\u2019s number one goalkeeper for years. He put in some incredible performances.\u201d<\/p>\nHow long do you plan to play? Neuer is still going strong at 40. \n <\/b>\u201cIt\u2019s wonderful when you can make a career out of your sport. It\u2019s worth enjoying it for as long as possible, as long as you can still perform at the top level. And I\u2019m still relatively young for a goalkeeper. As long as the drive is there and your body holds up, you can certainly keep playing as a goalkeeper for quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\nHas the best phase of your career just begun? \n <\/b>\u201cIf you compare it to others, you could say that a goalkeeper\u2019s best years are from 28 to 34. I\u2019m still very committed to continuing to work on myself, staying motivated, having fun, and wanting to help the team.\u201d<\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-2-1787570847243\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-2.jpg\"><\/p>\nSome game strategies require teams to build up play from inside the penalty area in a risky manner. How risky do you think it should be? \n <\/b>\u201cIt always depends on the circumstances. So you can\u2019t give a blanket answer.\u201d How often does a play actually go all the way from your own goal to the opponent\u2019s goal? It\u2019s extremely rare. This, too, must be taken into account when weighing how much risk to take. You have to maintain a certain degree of flexibility in your play. Who are you playing against? What formation are they using? How is the team performing right now? What phase of the game are you in? Is the opponent on the offensive right now? There are so many factors to consider. How is your teammate playing today? How hard is he being pressed? You have to assess all of that and then make the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\nYou haven\u2019t missed a game in almost two years now\u2014coincidence or the result of preventive measures? \n <\/b>\u201cWith such a high workload, you get to know your body very well and know what to listen for and how best to react. I\u2019ve made some adjustments. This three-day rhythm demands more from you, especially with all the traveling. It\u2019s no coincidence that I\u2019m now in this long stretch where I can play consistently. It takes a lot of dedication, a good team, but also a good balance\u2014a certain sense of ease.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cI play to win at home, too\u201d<\/h2>\nThe 28-year-old lives just outside Dortmund with his fiancée and their one-year-old daughter. At home, he can unwind. He reads books\u2014preferably biographies.<\/p>\nGreg, we know that after losses, your resting heart rate is 180. Does that also apply to losing board games in the comfort of your own home? \n<\/b> \u201cI\u2019ve become more laid-back and can take it a bit more easily now. But even at home, I play to win\u2014that\u2019s for sure\u2026\u201d \n Interview: Boris Rupert \n Photos: Hendrik Deckers<\/i><\/p>\n<img data-assetref=\"Kobel-Interview-5-1787570860386\" src=\"/content/dam/bvbweb/en/news/2026/08/24/kobel/Kobel-Interview-5.jpg\"><\/p>\n","exportedType":"text/html"},"id":"editable-4313265134","prio":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"prio","title":"Prio (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"headline":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"headline","title":"Headline","multiValue":false,"value":"Interview with Gregor Kobel: \u201cI Play to Win\u201d","exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHomeMainstage":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"displayOnHomeMainstage","title":"Display in Main Stage on Homepage","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"author":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"author","title":"Author","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"teaserType":"relatedContent","match":{"multiLine":true,"dataType":"content-fragment","name":"match","title":"Related Match","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"externalId":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"externalId","title":"External ID (Clubplatform)","multiValue":false,"exportedType":"text/plain"},"displayOnHome":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"boolean","name":"displayOnHome","title":"Display in News Wall on Homepage","multiValue":false,"value":true,"exportedType":"boolean"},"url":{"multiLine":false,"dataType":"string","name":"url","title":"Vanity URL (LEAVE EMPTY FOR AUTOMATIC VANITY URL. 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