The Borussia Dortmund U23s remain undefeated in 2021. Coach Enrico Maaßen's side drew 0-0 with SV Rödinghausen in an intense game on Wednesday evening. 

The scenario: The Black & Yellows found themselves back atop the Regionalliga West table, one point ahead of RW Essen despite having played two games fewer and therefore with a great shot at finishing the season as league winners. Rödinghausen came into the game in mid-table and on the back of a three-game losing streak. 

Personnel matters: BVB coach Enrico Maaßen made one change to the side that picked up a win away to SV Straelen: Alaa Bakir replaced Richmond Tachie up front. 

The match & analysis: The playing surface, freshly watered prior to kick-off, led to a few slips from both sets of players early on. This led to the first chance of the game for the home side: a slip from a Dortmund player meant possession changed hands, Rödinghausen had a sight of goal but the shot from near the edge of the box drifted left of the target. Both teams were lacking precision in the final third. Rödinghausen defended compactly in their 5-3-2 formation and looked to hit BVB on the break. The visitors had more of the ball but were unable to fashion any decisive opportunities. 

Rödinghausen found their feet in the game from around the 25-minute mark onward and started to trouble the Dortmund rearguard with lots of long balls played between the lines. The Black & Yellows struggled to convert changes of possession into chances, largely because the home side were always quick to get back behind the ball in numbers. The two sides went in at the break with the score tied at 0-0. 

Borussia started the second half on a positive note, with Franz Pfanne and Niklas Dams both having shots on goal from close range. However, Rödinghausen defenders were able to get their bodies in the way on both occasions. There was little in the way of goalmouth action, with the match frequently being interrupted due to minor fouls in midfield. Little surprise then that the match in the Wiehenstadion failed to really take flight. BVB coach Enrico Maaßen took action around the hour mark, bringing three pairs of fresh legs on in the shape of Patrick Osterhage, Albin Thaqi and Haymenn Bah-Traore.

Not long after the triple substitution, the home side had the biggest chance of the match thus far: an excellent save from BVB keeper Luca Unbehaun was required to deflect a long-range effort away off the upright. However, the Black & Yellows also came closer to scoring, with Steffen Tigges unable to convert a good opportunity in the 70th minute. Five minutes later, Richmond Tachie was unable to get the better of the Rödinghausen goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. Both sides pressed for the win as the chances piled up down both ends of the park. However, the ball didn't seem to want to cross the line as the scoreboard remained stuck at 0-0 after 90 minutes. A point that BVB will be happy enough to go home with in the middle of a congested schedule. 

Match reactions: 

Enrico Maaßen: ''Our opponents played well tonight. They gave us a lot of problems, particularly in the first half. They played a lot of long balls forward and were always quick to try and win knock-downs. We weren't able to get to the second balls often enough. Things improved a lot in the second half. At the end of the day we maybe had the best chance through Richie, but Rödinghausen also had three or four good chances themselves. Overall we're happy with the point today.''

Outlook: BVB will host VfB Homberg in Dortmund on Saturday. Kick-off at the Rote Erde Stadium is scheduled for 14:00 CET. 500 spectators will be allowed to attend.

Teams & goals

BVB U23: Unbehaun – Hober (61, Osterhage), Bakir (65, Tachie), Weigelt (61, Thaqi), Tigges, Finnsson, Pfanne, Dams, Knauff, Raschl, Wanner (61, Bah-Traore)

Goals: none