Rot-Weiss Essen will visit SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in the opening game of Matchday 11 in the 3. Liga at 19:00 CET on Friday.

From a Black & Yellow perspective, it is hard to predict what kind of opponent they will actually be up against on Friday evening. Not even two weeks ago, RWE caused a stir by beating league leaders Dynamo Dresden by a 3-1 scoreline. But Essen have suffered heavy defeats in their two matches since, losing 4-0 in Unterhaching and 5-0 at home to Verl.

Certainly no coincidence: Antonios Papadopoulos has been back in the U23 squad for precisely these five games. The 24-year-old played the full 90 minutes in all the games. "He's not the oldest player in our team, but he's very experienced," commented BVB coach Jan Zimmermann, adding: "He gives the team physicality and presence on the pitch. He stabilises the team." Padadopoulos, who moved to BVB from Halle in 2021, has constantly oscillated between roles in defensive midfield and the centre of defence. "But I clearly see him as a central defender," emphasised Zimmermann. Accordingly, the German-Greek native has made all his appearances in this position, providing support and stability for the up-and-coming young talent Hendry Blank. Blank has developed even further by Papadopoulos' side.

Blank, meanwhile, will not be available against Essen. The reason is a pleasant one: the 19-year-old, who is spending his first months at senior level, has been included in the Germany U20 national team squad for the games in Portugal on Friday and against Czechia three days later. In addition, Silas Ostrzinski, Dennis Lütke-Frie, Prince Aning and Paul Besong will miss the Essen game. Rodney Elongo-Yombo is targeting a first start instead – and not only because of the brace he bagged as a substitute in Bielefeld last Saturday: "He has trained well and performed for a long period of time," praised Zimmermann.

Dortmund's U23s and RWE were promoted from the Regionalliga West to the 3. Liga in successive seasons in 2021 and 2022. The head-to-head race in the Regionalliga in the spring of 2021, which the Black & Yellows ultimately won, is still fresh in the memory. Their first reunion in the 3. Liga took place last season. BVB won the home game 1-0 but lost 2-0 at the Hafenstraße.

There will be tickets on pre-sale or available from the box office for the clash at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on Friday evening. The stadium opens at 17:30 CET.