Resolute Cologne Punish Weak U23s

Despite the long break in the playing schedule, a number of players were unavailable for selection. Alongside Massimo Ornatelli, who was still suspended, Sören Dieckmann, Gianluca Rizzo and Beyhan Ametov were also absent either due to illness or injury. The long-term injured Michael Eberwein and Junior Flores were also on the list of absentees.

Jan Siewert sent out the following starting eleven: Reimann - Sauerland, Pieper, Mainka, Bah-Traore - Chato, Boadu - Bockhorn, Pflücke, Hanke – Pavlidis

The Borussia boys made a decent start to the game. On an unforgiving pitch, coach Jan Siewert's charges sought their joy by way of ball possession and quick plays down the flanks, as they had done in Wattenscheid. Nonetheless, FC did not set up camp in their own half and went on the offensive. Success was had in particular down the right hand side via Tim Handwerker, who has already gained experience playing in the senior side. Borussia's best chance during the opening phase of the match fell to David Sauerland in the 20' minute of play, though his effort was saved for a corner.  

However, FC grew in strength as the game progressed. The guests prevented BVB from getting close to their own goal, and were frequently dangerous by way of set pieces. One such scene was exploited by Tim Handwerker in the 36' minute of play to give them a deserved 1-0 lead. BVB's conceding of a goal served as a wake-up call. The normally strong offensive line suddenly came to life: a Patrick Pflücke shot missed the goal by a matter of centimetres. As the whistle for halftime was sounded, an innocuous attempt from Denzeil Boadu landed next to Cologne's goal, meaning BVB went in trailing by a single goal at the break.

No changes were made during the break, but the Dortmund men played what was clearly a much more attacking game after the restart overall. Nonetheless, FC refused to retreat into their shell, rather continued to send probing balls going forward. The first dangerous play of the second lot of 45 minutes brought the visitors success anew. After a corner ball, Roman Prokoph rose highest to head in for 2-0 for Cologne. Borussia were devoid of ideas: there was no creativity nor an ability to launch a surprise. Jan Siewert opted to make a substitution after the second goal had been conceded, and put on a second striker in the form of Balint Bajner. The change gave BVB more of the game, and they fought their way back into the match. In the 70' minute they managed to get a goal back on the counter via Philipp Hanke, 1-2. It was their first shot on goal in the second half. All of a sudden, BVB were present once more, and Jan Siewert decided to make another change. Jonas Arweiler replaced Herbert Bockhorn. However, in the middle of BVB's spell of applying pressure, FC took the score to 3-1. Dominik Reimann was able to save Handwerker's initial shot, but he had no chance against the follow up sent in by Ratifo. Not much more of note occurred until the end of the match, meaning BVB ultimately lost the game 1-3 because of a poor first half, and deservedly so.

Their next match is due to take place this coming Sunday. They kick off at 14:00 in Aachen against Alemannia, who currently occupy berth three in the table. BVB currently occupy sixth place after having played 19 matches.

Coach Jan Siewert was suitably disappointed with the result after the match: "That was not satisfactory for us today. We had no clear-cut chances, Cologne made sure of that intelligently. We lacked rhythm, and we might have shown a bit of coolness. At the end of the day, we must live with the loss and make a better fist of it in Aachen on Sunday."
Timo Lammert