The Borussia Dortmund U23s lost 2-0 away to league leaders SV Rödinghausen, despite producing a highly respectable performance.

Coach Mike Tullberg was without six players for the trip to the league leaders, but his side were bolstered by a reinforcement from the senior squad, Mateu Morey. In addition, three players from the U19s – Ramzi Ferjani, Alaa Bakir and Reda Khadra – were given their first taste of Regionalliga action. BVB began in their usual formation with four at the back and two wing forwards. Both teams offered little in attack in the opening stages and it was not until the 13th minute – when the hosts hit the side-netting – that the first chance of the game came about. 

Rödinghausen took the lead in the 28th minute when Lars Lokotsch headed home. The first dangerous attempt for BVB came only three minutes later. The Black & Yellows had the Rödinghausen defence under pressure. Morey fed Taylam Duman, who beat his opponent nicely before firing narrowly wide of the upright. The hosts had the chance to double their lead shortly before the interval but Luca Unbehaun made a stunning save to keep out another Lokotsch header.

Tullberg: "The victory for the hosts is totally fair" 

BVB made a more imposing start to the second period and launched several attacks on the East Westphalians' goal, though nothing got past the league leaders' strong defence. The Black & Yellows lacked penetration. Rödinghausen's second goal came through Simon Engelmann in the 65th minute. A quick pass upfield beat the Borussia Dortmund defence's high line and Unbehaun was left with no chance. U19 player Reda Khadra was subsequently handed his U23 debut, with the pacey A-Junior Bundesliga winger getting a run-out on the right flank. The BVB attack showed their attacking intent time and time again but the second-strongest defence in the division did not budge. U19 captain Alaa Bakir came on in the 81st minute to make his Regionalliga bow. In the closing stages, Tullberg's charges tried to pick out gaps in the home side's excellent defence but were not able to carve open any clear goalscoring opportunities. 

Mike Tullberg: "We wanted to try to keep the ball on the ground and avoid set-pieces. We only partially managed that. We had two good opportunities and would have certainly gone into the second half in a better position had we managed to get an equaliser. As it was, Rödinghausen had space to exploit. The victory for the hosts is totally fair; compliments to Rödinghausen, who are not just outstandingly strong from set-pieces but play some really good football too."

BVB U23s: Unbehaun – Morey, Rente, Bünning, Hippe – Tunga, Duman, Hober – Boyamba, Tigges, Führich

Substitutes: Reckert, Ferjani, Bakir, Kadra, Rizzo, Aydinel, Finnsson