An excellent attacking performance was enough to see the Borussia Dortmund U17s defeat VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 (2-1) in the first leg of their U17 German Championship semi-final tie.

Wedenesday evening saw the winners of the Regionalliga West, Borussia Dortmund, host the winners of the Regionalliga North/North-East, VfL Wolfsburg. It was the Black & Yellows who dominated the early stages of the match. Wolfsburg were barely able to get a touch off the ball and were entirely dependant on counter-attacks launched off the back of Dortmund errors. It was one of these errors that led to the first goal-scoring opportunity in the 12th minute. The chance fell to Wolfsburg's Luca Friederichs, but he was unable to beat the near-post from about 16 metres out. This early sign of danger acted as a wake-up call for the young Dortmund side, who responded by upping the tempo of their play to such an extent that the visitors had problems keeping pace. A classy through ball played by Ansgar Knauff sent the speedy Youssoufa Moukoko through on goal. There was no chance the Black & Yellows' leading goalscorer was going to let such a clear-cut opportunity go to waste. 1-0 to BVB. 

Ten minutes before the interval, Wolfsburg found an equaliser out of nowhere. BVB gave the ball way in midfield, it arrived at the feet of Luca Friederichs, who made no mistake this time around to bring the score to 1-1. BVB came back strongly, creating two good chances in quick succession for Moukoko and Lütke-Frie, who were both unable to convert. Fortunately, these misses would prove insignificant as Borussia were able to find the back of the net before the half-time whistle blew. A quickly-taken free kick by Hetemi and an inch-perfect cross by Knauff put it on a plate for Moukoko, who made no mistake in tapping the ball home. So it was that Black & Yellows went in at the break with a fully deserved 2-1 lead. 

Hetemi and Amedick turn the screw

Sebastian Geppert's side picked up as they left off at the end of the first-half. Double goalscorer Moukoko turned provider in the 47th minute, playing a deft pass in the path of Ansgar Hetemi, who slotted the ball past the keeper to bring the score to 3-1. BVB were comfortably on top and showed Wolfsburg no mercy. Within five minutes, the score was 4-1. A Hetemi free-kick found Maik Amedick in acres of space at the back post. He didn't hesitate in smashing the ball into the back of the net to put BVB comfortably out of sight. 

The last 30 minutes saw BVB take their foot off the gas somewhat, perhaps with a view to preserving energy for the upcoming second-leg. Nonetheless, the Black & Yellows were still able to create several good chances. Moukoko almost got his hat-trick with the last kick of the game, but he dragged his effort just wide of the mark after a good counter-attack. He collapsed in a heap of exhaustion before joining his teammates in celebration. 

''We gave it our all and have put ourselves in a good situation for Saturday''

BVB coach Sebastian Geppert is happy with the advantage his team have built up going into the second-leg: ''It was really difficult for us today. Wolfsburg got really tight to us all game, they were in our faces all over the pitch. But as soon as we were able to break the press and get the ball forward we caused problems for them. We gave it our all and have put ourselves in a good situation for Saturday. We're happy.'' 

The second-leg will take place in Wolfsburg on Saturday at 15:00 CET. Spectators will be able to attend the match free of charge. 

BVB U17: Klußmann – Semic (29. Özden), Thaqi, Böhmer, Kuffour (52. Meier) – Amedick, Lütke Frie, Knauff, Hetemi (63. Fehler), Pakia (70. El-Zein) – Moukoko

Goals: 1-0 Moukoko (16.), 1-1 (30.), 2-1 Moukoko (40.), 3-1 Knauff (47.), 4-1 Amedick (51.)