The approximately 4,500 spectators in Zwickau were treated to a varied football spectacle on Matchday 1 of the 3. Liga: the Borussia Dortmund U23s turned a 1-0 deficit on its head to win 2-1. Immanuel Pherai and Tobi Raschl were the goalscorers for the Black & Yellows, who had to get by without Niklas Dams for the last 15 minutes. The central defender was shown a red card after committing a professional foul. After surviving a dramatic finale, Borussia can celebrate the first three points of the new season. 

Before the game: the flooding disaster which has struck parts of Germany has also impacted the 3. Liga. After conversations with the DFB, the 20 clubs decided to wear mourning patches on Matchday 1 and to hold a minute's silence for the victims at all ten matches. In addition, the 3. Liga is calling for donations under the hashtag "#3Ligahilft".

The opposition: FSV Zwickau finished the last 3. Liga season in tenth place. Head coach Joe Enoch has an experienced squad at his disposal, including veteran striker Ronny König. The game was held in the GGZ Arena, which was opened in the year 2016.

Personnel: ''A few players aren't here today, but that isn't a problem for us,'' said BVB coach Enrico Maaßen as he discussed his starting line-up. Captain Franz Pfanne moved back to plug the gap in defence. Lennard Maloney, Antonios Papadopoulos and Albin Thaqi were away at training camp with the first team. Maximilian Hippe was not yet a candidate for the starting XI after his injury, but he was at least able to make the matchday squad. 

The match: The Borussia Dortmund U23s started off their 3. Liga adventure in the pressure cauldron of Zwickau with the confidence that comes from 241 days without defeat. However, the young Black & Yellows experienced a rude awakening early on. After a cross in from the left, Zwickau centre-forward Ronny König drilled the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box, leaving BVB keeper Luca Unbehaun with no chance.

However, BVB were only briefly shaken, and soon managed to take charge of the affair. Richmond Tachie played in Immanuel Pherai, who was initially denied by the Zwickau keeper but managed to chase down the rebound to poke the ball into the back of the net and draw the sides level at 1-1. A few moments before the first water break in the 26th minute, BVB had a big chance to take the lead: Berkan Taz squared the ball to Timo Bornemann, but he was unable to apply the finishing touches. It wouldn't have counted in any case, as the linesman raised his flag for offside. 

BVB picked up where they left off after the brief pause. The next chance fell to Tachie, who failed to make the adequate connection with a corner. Zwickau only really threatened with set-pieces, but a well-organised and passionate Black & Yellow defence stood firm on every occasion. That said, BVB got somewhat lucky in the 44th minute when a free-kick struck the post. An exciting first half drew to a close after four minutes of injury time. 

BVB made no changes at the start of the second half. The hosts came out an improved side, while the Black & Yellows struggled to find depth in their play. Zwickau favoured the long-ball approach and showed little creativity. BVB managed to find their feet around the hour mark and came closer and closer to the Zwickau goal with their verve and tempo. In the 58th minute, Tobi Raschl pounced on the ball after a ricochet off a Zwickau defender and fired a shot into the back of the net from 11 metres out to make it 2-1 to BVB.

Zwickau became more and more nervous, while BVB defended with aplomb and kept landing jabs on the offensive. Newcomer Ted Tattermusch replaced Timo Bornemann in the centre of attack on the hour mark. The hosts had a great chance to equalise in the 72nd minute: Yannic Voigt fired a free-kick on goal, but Luca Unbehaun was able to make an excellent save.

With 15 minutes left, Zwickau were awarded a free kick after Niklas Dams fouled Lars Lokotsch on the edge of the penalty area. The referee deemed that Dams was the last man and showed the Dortmund defender the red card. BVB had to defend their lead a man down.

The closing stages drew on and on in the GGZ Arena. Countless injury stoppages and another water break led to five minutes of injury time, in which the hosts hit the crossbar and were denied several times by Luca Unbehaun. The Dortmund goalkeeper managed to save all three points for his side and was singled out for praise after the game - both from his teammates and the 300 BVB fans in the away section.

BVB U23: Unbehaun – Pasalic (78, Pohlmann), Hober, Taz (78, Makreckis), Tachie (78, Hippe), Bornemann (61, Tattermusch), Finnsson, Pfanne, Pherai (83, Bafounta), Dams, Raschl

Goals: 1-0 König (3), 1-1 Pherai (12), 1-2 Raschl (58)

Notable event: Red card for Niklas Dams after a professional foul (76)