U23s to host Aue before winter break

Having been forced to relocate to Wuppertal for three home games, the U23s are now preparing to return to Dortmund. The final match of the 2022 calendar year will be played at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, where the U23s have already contested the majority of their home matches this season due to the construction works taking place at Stadion Rote Erde. Coach Christian Preusser is naturally hoping for a positive result in the final match before the winter break: "We're delighted to be able to play in Dortmund again and want to finish on a good note. It has been an intensive time in recent weeks, and we would like to bring it to a successful conclusion."

Above all, the objective will be to produce a reaction following the 2-0 defeat to Viktoria Cologne during the week. The Borussia boss was not only dissatisfied with the result, but with the performance too. "For us, it was a completely unsuccessful day. The defeat was our own fault because we did not have a good game."

Beforehand, BVB had been on a really good run and were undefeated in six matches. But then the Black & Yellow reserves came off second-best against league leaders Elversberg last weekend – a result which was followed by another defeat against the Cathedral City club. "Performance fluctuations in an U23 team are normal. But it is our objective to pick up points even if the performance level is weaker. We haven't managed that in the last two matches," said Preusser, adding: "But we want to produce a good performance again against Aue. Then it's also likelier that we'll get a good result."

The next opponents, who came down from the second tier, are bottom of the table after 16 matches. In an opinion poll conducted before the season started, half the coaches in the division expected to see Aue in the promotion places. Their current predicament also comes as a surprise to Dortmund's tactician. "All the teams are packed very closely together in the table, so small details can make the difference. All of Aue's matches have also been very close. They played a great game in the 1-1 draw against Elversberg."

The Saxony outfit's long-term president Helge Leonhardt stepped down midway through the season, while coach Timo Rost was sacked and replaced by Carsten Müller after nine games. The interim coach initially guided FCE to two wins, but the club have since picked up hardly any points and remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table. But Christian Preusser still issued a word of warning: "The individual players are good, the core too. And Erzgebirge have always been synonymous with tackling, a spirit of togetherness and intensity. We must be prepared for that. That can also hurt you, and we must not let ourselves be affected by it."

On the personnel front, BVB have several important absences to contend with for this clash. Veteran Michael Eberwein remains sidelined through injury, while Falko Michel is not available after accumulating a fifth yellow card. Marco Pašalić made his competitive debut for the first team in Wolfsburg and a late decision will be taken as to whether the 22-year-old is part of the senior squad once again on Friday. But despite the absentees, the Black & Yellows will have a strong squad at their disposal. And they will need one too at the end of another English week: "The good thing is that Aue have had the same rhythm. Three matches in six days is really a lot. We worked a lot in the weeks beforehand and are top-fit. But this will all be about desire. That can make the difference in this game in terms of who wins," commented Christian Preusser.

It will again be a case of extracting every ounce of energy and getting three points in the best-case scenario. There is plenty of incentive: BVB would keep a direct rival at a distance and be certain of staying above the relegation zone too. They could then sign off for the winter break with 21 points and some degree of relaxation, before going all out again in the New Year.