The champions are coming – U23s to host SV Rödinghausen

It will be a special occasion for BVB boss Enrico Maaßen, who spent two years coaching the visitors – finishing third in his opening campaign and then winning the Regionalliga in his second. But Rödinghausen have gone through something of an overhaul following his departure for BVB. Key players such as Franz Pfanne and Simon Engelmann – now at BVB and Rot-Weiss Essen respectively – left the club. Nils Drube, who had previously been in the dugout at Sportfreunde Lotte, was brought in as the new head coach. There were some teething issues at the outset, but Rödinghausen have now risen to 11th place and recorded a 2-0 win over SC Wiedenbrück in their last outing.

In an interview, Enrico Maaßen spoke about the derby win on Saturday and the game on Wednesday:

You picked up your first derby victory in your first-ever derby on Saturday. What was your take on the game?
"I knew that it'd be a heated game. It's a super feeling when you win your first derby too. It also felt good to win by that margin and I hope we're going to have a similar feeling again."

Only one team has beaten the Borussia Dortmund U23s this calendar year. That was SV Rödinghausen in March, under your tutelage. Now you're at BVB, does that mean the Black & Yellows can only beat themselves? 
"Rödinghausen also have a good team; one mustn't underestimate that. They have some very talented individuals, even if they're not in a superb position in the table. It'll be a tough task, especially given that the opposition will be well rested. For us it is a third match in close succession. It'll be important that we make a good start to the game and show our most intense selves on the pitch."

How do you assess the opposition? What are their strengths?
"First and foremost, experience and individual quality. They have two experienced central defenders who also know where the goal is at the other end. Rödinghausen are a good team. They'll demand everything from us."
Timo Lammert