Out of the Youth League: Alkmaar too strong for BVB youngsters | OneFootball

That’s it for Borussia Dortmund. In the Round of 16 of the UEFA Youth League, the Bundesliga club’s youth team was eliminated. AZ Alkmaar knocked BVB out of the competition with a 4-0 (1-0) victory.

However, the result is more decisive than the course of the game would suggest. The U19 squad, led by head coach Felix Hirschnagel, failed to capitalize on their numerous chances, while the Dutch side remained ice-cold in front of goalkeeper Aaron Held’s net. The match-winner was Bendegúz Kovács, who scored a hat-trick (7th minute, 50th, 90+2). Wassim Bouziane made it 3-0 in the 84th minute.

In the first half alone, the Black and Yellows had five huge opportunities. But neither Niklas König after eight minutes, nor Taycan Etciabsi (14’), Mathis Albert (31’), or Ousmane Diallo (33’, 45’) managed to put the ball in the opponent’s net. Goalie Jur Schipper proved unbeatable on Tuesday afternoon (February 3).

AZ goalkeeper Schipper unbeatable

Even after the break, the BVB youngsters didn’t give up and tried to make up the deficit. But time and again, the outstanding Schipper stood in their way, saving every shot that came his way. And when the AZ keeper didn’t get his hands on the ball, the crossbar came to his aid—as with Tim Degener’s shot in the 78th minute.

In the end, the AZ youth team proved to be more mature and efficient. The victory is therefore well-deserved, but it was too high against a Dortmund side that was by no means disappointing.

For Alkmaar, who already won the tournament in 2023, the journey continues in the Youth League Round of 16. Borussia’s U19 can now fully focus on national competitions. On Sunday (February 8, 11 a.m.), the first matchday in Main Round Group B of League A of the DFB U19 Youth League will take place. Holstein Kiel will visit the Youth Performance Center in Brackel for the opener (live on Sky).

U19: Held – König (57’ Faust), Reggiani, Ritter (80’ Cena), Degener – dos Santos, Fahrenhorst, Inacio (46’ Adje) – Diallo (57’ Hoy), Etcibasi (57’ Mirza), Albert.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.