Balerdi and Morey join U23s for win over RW Oberhausen

The pre-match scenario: Borussia Dortmund lost 4-0 to league-leaders Rödinghausen last weekend. Oberhausen came to Dortmund on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, including a 3-1 win over newly-promoted side TuS Haltern last weekend.

Personnel: Eric Oelschlägel had recovered sufficiently from the injury he suffered against Cologne to make his return in the BVB goal. Summer signing Mateu Morey made his first competitive appearance in a BVB shirt. The Spanish right-back was fit and raring to go after recovering from a shoulder injury. Leonardo Balerdi was part of the squad once more, with the U23 set-up giving him the opportunity to amass some playing time. Tobi Raschl was among the substitutes.

Boyamba gives BVB a deserved lead

The first half: The Black & Yellows got off to a strong start, with left-winger Chris Führich having a couple of shots on goals within the first five minutes. BVB continued to dominate the ball and apply pressure, which soon led to another couple of good goal-scoring opportunities within the first 15 minutes. The chances fell to Boyamba and Kaastrup, who were able to direct their efforts on target but unable to beat Davari in the Oberhausen goal. It took approximately 20 minutes for Oberhausen to enjoy their first noteworthy period of attacking play. The guests came close three times in quick succession, but BVB goalkeeper Eric Oelschlägel, the outstretched leg of a defender and, latterly, the post each came to the rescue of the Black & Yellows.

The match then came to something of a lull, with neither side able to create much going forward. But then, in the 31^st minute, Magnus Kaastrup surged down the left-hand side and made his way into the box. Just as he prepared to pull the trigger, an Oberhausen defender went in for the challenge and didn't get any of the ball. Penalty. Joseph Boyamba stepped up to find the back of the net and fire the Black & Yellows into a 1-0 lead.

2-0 - Kaastrup puts it beyond doubt

The second half: The visitors came out with renewed determination after the interval and pressed hard for an equalizer. On the 50^th minute mark, Mateu Morey's number went up on the board, with Maximilian Hippe coming on to replace the 19-year-old at right-back. It was an assured competitive debut for the young Spaniard, who impressed in an unfamiliar environment. Oberhausen, dressed in red and white, had the upper-hand in these early stages of the second half, with the Black & Yellows forced to soak up a lot of pressure.

BVB coach Mike Tullberg reacted to the Oberhausen dominance by bringing central defender Steven Ruprecht on to replace Marco Hober. Soon enough, BVB managed to launch a deadly counter-attack: Joseph Boyamba beat his man down the right-wing and drove forwards before playing a neat pass into the box, where Magnus Kaastrup stood in acres of space. The Dane kept his cool to fire the ball home and make it 2-0 to the home side. Head coach Mike Tullberg could barely conceal his joy, with the 33-year-old running onto the pitch to celebrate alongside his players and congratulate Kaastrup for his first goal of the season – an important one at that! The Black & Yellows were able to see out the result in what remained of the match.

Here's what BVB coach Mike Tullberg had to say: ''I'm really happy about this win over a strong Oberhausen side. The lads did a great job. We've managed to pick up an impressive average of 2.2 points per game over the last six weeks.''

BVB U23: Oelschlägel – Morey (51. Hippe), Rente, Balerdi, Finnsson – Tunga, Hober (68. Ruprecht), Kaastrup – Führich (74. Wanner), Tigges, Boyamba

Goals: 1-0 Boyamba (pen.) (31.), 2-0 Kaastrup (70.)