Super sub Rizzo rescues U23s a point in Bonn

The pre-match scenario: The two teams were separated by three points and one place prior to kick-off. Bonner SC went into this one full of confidence having won their last four matches. Meanwhile, the Black & Yellows had won three of their past five games but suffered an unlucky defeat to SV Lippstadt last weekend.

Personnel matters: BVB coach Mike Tullberg made one change to the starting XI that faced SV Lippstadt at home last time out, with Marco Hober replacing Mateu Morey in the line-up. Hober started in midfield, with Tunga Malanda filling Morey's slot in the back four.

The first half: Both teams struggled on the slippery surface in the opening minutes of the match, with possession turnovers and passing errors a frequent occurrence at the Sportpark Nord. Bonn shot-stopper Robin Benz was called into action for the first time in the 15th minute, gathering the ball at the second attempt following a low shot from Kaastrup. But the ongoing downpour posed a challenge to both teams and silky link-up play – let alone shots on goal – was few and far between.

It was perhaps unsurprising, then, that it was a set-piece that next threatened the Bonner SC goal around the half-hour mark. Goalkeeper Benz flapped as he tried to clear a Kaastrup corner and Joseph Boyamba had a free header, but it was cleared off the line. The Bonner SC shot-stopper looked more convincing five minutes later, however, when he got the better of Führich in a one-on-one. All in all, the pitch and weather conditions did not make for a good match, although BVB seemed to be more comfortable with the conditions and had slightly more of the play.

But as the 40th minute approached, the visitors lost possession of the ball in midfield and allowed Bonn the opportunity to open the scoring against the run of play. In the end it was Adis Omerbasic who slotted the ball past Eric Oelschlägel in the BVB goal and ensured that the hosts would go in at the break a goal ahead.

The second half: BVB boss Tullberg opted to make his first personnel change at the break, introducing Kolbeinn Finnsson in place of Hober. The BVB set-up looked slightly more attack-minded after the interval and they went close when a long-range effort from Boyamba grazed the crossbar in the 50th minute. At the other end, Bonn almost doubled their lead immediately afterwards only for Oelschlägel to come out on top in a one-on-one. It subsequently developed into an open game with both teams continuing to benefit from numerous errors. It was at this stage that Tullberg reacted, bringing on Rizzo, another striker, for Kaastrup in the 65th minute.

The bright, attack-minded start to the second period was followed by a quiet spell and the game was still hanging in the balance as it entered the final 15 minutes. While Bonn played on the counter, the Black & Yellows invested a lot more offensively and their efforts were eventually rewarded on the 82-minute mark when super sub Gianluca Rizzo headed home a Tigges cross to deservedly level the score at 1-1. BVB had tasted blood and could sense their chance to take all three points in the Rhineland. But it was their opponents who had the last chance of the match, with Oelschlägel prevailing in another one-on-one.

The reaction from BVB boss Mike Tullberg: "We knew that it would be a difficult surface to play on. We had a good spell prior to conceding the goal. In the end, 1-1 is a fair result when you consider our improved performance in the second half. It was a point won for us."

Outlook: The U23s will next be in action on Wednesday when they take on Alemannia Aachen in their game in hand. Kick-off at Stadion Rote Erde will be at 18:00 CET.

BVB U23s: Oelschlägel – Tunga Malanda, Hippe, Rente, Bünning – Hober (Finnsson, 46), Raschl, Kaastrup (Rizzo, 65) – Führich, Tigges, Boyamba

Goals: 1-0 Omerbasic (40), 1-1 Rizzo (82)