Dortmund derby winners aim to extend their fine runs | OneFootball

Youth Matches at a Glance

U23: Borussia Mönchengladbach – BVB (Regionalliga West): 5 Sept. 2026, 2 p.m. (Grenzlandstadion)

BVB – Rot-Weiss Essen (DFB Youth League): 5 Sept. 2026, 11 a.m. (Youth Performance Center)

U17: Rot-Weiss Essen – BVB (DFB Youth League): 5 Sept. 2026, 1 p.m. (Hybrid grass pitch, Seumannstr. 55, Essen)

U23 Facing a Tricky Task in Mönchengladbach

Thanks to a run of three straight wins, crowned by the derby victory over Schalke, the U23 have moved into the group of top teams in the Regionalliga. “You can say that we’ve had a good start to the season,” said Daniel Rios. To the coach’s relief, the problems feared at the start of the league campaign due to the major squad overhaul failed to materialize: “What really pleases me is the team unity. We’ve used the time very well to grow together. The team has become a unit that has embraced the situation well.”

That spirit is meant to help them master the difficult task against the team currently second in the table from the Lower Rhine. “Gladbach have a strong side that is very flexible. Like us, they try to dominate the game rather than sit back and wait,” said Rios. The “Foals” are two points ahead of BVB, having played one game more so far. Arne Wessels, who was suspended against Schalke after a second yellow resulting in a red card, returns to the squad.

U19 Tested at Home Against Fourth-Placed Essen

After two away games in Osnabrück (2:0) and Duisburg (1:1), Borussia Dortmund’s U19 will be back at home on Saturday. With a win over fourth-placed Rot-Weiss Essen at the Youth Performance Center, coach Felix Hirschnagl’s team could extend its lead at the top of the DFB Youth League. Despite their clear 3:0 defeat at home to Duisburg on the last matchday, Essen should not be underestimated. After all, just a few days earlier they had held fellow title contenders FC Schalke to a 1:1 draw. Another warning sign: last season as well, Essen proved awkward opponents for BVB in both group matches (3:2/2:2).

For most of the Dortmund squad, the match will serve as a dress rehearsal for the start of the UEFA Youth League league phase, with their first home match against Villarreal CF coming up on Tuesday (4 p.m.). Their other opponents are FK Bodø/Glimt (14 Oct.), Sabah FC (20 Oct.), Real Betis (4 Nov.), Arsenal FC (24 Nov.) and Inter Milan (9 Dec.). The BVB team will mainly consist of players from the U19, U23 and U17.

Next Top Clash for U17, Still Perfect So Far

Like the U23, the U17 are also drawing fresh confidence from last matchday’s derby win. Thanks to a hard-fought 1:0 victory over previously unbeaten FC Schalke 04, Karsten Gorges’ team moved to sole possession of first place in preliminary group G of the DFB Youth League with 12 points. Despite all the praise for the “good team performance,” the coach still saw room for improvement: “Unfortunately, we still give the ball away too often in attacking transition play. That’s something we need to work on. But of course we’re delighted with an optimal start to the season.”

Just one week after the clash with the Royal Blues, the next top match awaits on Saturday. After all, opponents Rot-Weiss Essen are in third place, though they already trail Borussia by five points. Notably, Essen have yet to record a home win this season. In matches against Osnabrück (4:4) and Bochum (2:3), they picked up only one point.

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