After departures: Big opportunity for BVB youngsters? | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is facing a personnel shake-up in the youth sector. This presents a great opportunity for talents like Mathis Albert and Samuele Inacio.

The personnel changes in Borussia Dortmund's U23 team open up new perspectives for young talents. Following the winter departures of key players like Jordi Paulina, David Lelle, Antonio Foti, and Ben Hüning, several youth players are moving into the spotlight at BVB II. Offensive talents Mathis Albert (16) and Samuele Inacio (17) are particularly expected to fill the gaps. Musa Kabar is intended to provide additional stability in defense.

The Ruhr Nachrichten reports that although Albert and Inacio are currently training with the professionals in the winter camp, BVB plans to integrate them permanently into the U23 afterwards. NLZ director Paul Schaffran sees this as the next logical step: “They will be integrated into the U23 and thus introduced to the professional sector.” For BVB, this step is not a risk but part of the development strategy. “We believe that these guys can take the next step. Now they have the opportunity to prove themselves,” Schaffran is quoted in the Ruhr Nachrichten.

Despite Departures: BVB U23 Still in the Promotion Race

However, the talents also leave a noticeable gap in the U19. In the first half of the season, Albert and Inacio significantly shaped the offensive play – together they were directly involved in 28 of 55 goals. U19 coach Felix Hirschnagl remains calm about the changes. In a conversation with the Ruhr Nachrichten, he says: “The best possible success for me is the next step” – referring less to league positions and more to the individual development of his players. The departure of key players is therefore also “always a huge opportunity” for those who have not been in the spotlight so far.

Despite the departures, the ambition in the U23 remains high. Head coach Daniel Rios makes it clear: “Our goals do not change. We want to win every game, we want to improve as a team and make the players better.” The five-point deficit to league leader Fortuna Köln in the Regionalliga West is to be made up in the second half of the season.

Overall, BVB sees the shake-up less as a problem and more as an opportunity. The U23, which must shape new key players, benefits from this, as do talents like Albert and Inacio, who are now taking the next step in their development.

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