Before the domestic campaign resumes on 2 February, the U19s will play the first of their mid-season friendlies against FC Ingolstadt – currently eighth in the Bundesliga South – at 11:00 CET on Saturday 11 January at their Hohenbuschei training centre.

Michael Skibbe has a smaller squad at his disposal at present. Giovanni Reyna and Immanuel Pherai have linked up with the senior squad at their training camp in Marbella, with Ramzi Ferjani and Alaa Bakir set to join them for Saturday's friendlies against Feyenoord and Mainz. Reda Khadra, meanwhile, is on trial with the U23s and will be part of the Regionalliga squad heading to Portugal for a training camp. With Ahmet Akbulut closing in on a transfer to MSV Duisburg, defender Berkan Aras has been promoted to the 24-man squad. "We want to become more solid defensively, without losing any of our attacking threat," said Michael Skibbe of his objectives before the Bundesliga restart. BVB face league leaders 1. FC Cologne on the first weekend back after the break. (wiwi)

Detailed report to follow on the youth website