Late goal conceded: U23s lose 1-0 at home to Stuttgart II | OneFootball

The scenario: There couldn't have been much more at stake. The match between the U23s and the VfB Stuttgart reserves was a direct battle to beat the drop. Prior to the relegation six-pointer, both teams were level on points with 43 points (exactly the same as Waldhof Mannheim). VfB Stuttgart were unbeaten in four rounds of matches and only occupied the first relegation spot due to their inferior goal difference.

Personnel matters: In his first match in charge of the U23s, Mike Tullberg made only three changes to Borussia's starting line-up. Goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski and Filippo Mané (injured) were replaced in the team by Marcel Lotka and Danylo Krevsun. Antonio Foti also came in for the suspended central defender Yannik Lührs. But Foti started in attacking midfield, with Franz Roggow taking on what was an unfamiliar role for him in the back four.

The match & analysis: The opening minutes belonged to the Black & Yellows. Driven on by 6,200 fans at Stadion Rote Erde, the U23s made a forceful and committed start without ever getting into dangerous positions in front of Stuttgart's goal. But at least the signs were positive at times: a first attempt from Ayman Azhil was fired over the bar (7).

After a spirited start, however, the Dortmund players increasingly struggled to hold onto the ball. That allowed Stuttgart to get a better foothold in the game – and they almost scored from their first opportunity. Following a slip-up by Franz Roggow, Mohamed Sankoh went clean through on Marcel Lotka's goal and forced the BVB goalkeeper into making a spectacular save (10). Three minutes later, it was Laurin Ulrich who tested Lotka with a shot from around 20 metres out (13).

Rather than building momentum, the game died down. It now looked like the relegation battle it had been billed as. The Black & Yellows made every effort but they often lacked precision and were overly hasty in the final third of the pitch. As a result, the majority of the action occurred in the middle of the park.

It was not until the closing stages of the first period that the BVB goal came under threat once again. Following a long ball, Jarzinho Malanga stole away from Kabar in a centre-right position on the edge of the box and shot immediately. His strike whizzed narrowly wide of the back post (36). Tullberg's team tried to battle on and hold their own – with consequences. Shortly before the interval, Franz Roggow picked up his 15th yellow card of the season. That means he will be suspended for the final day along with Michael Eberwein, who had picked up his 10th booking of the campaign in the opening stages.

Tullberg reacted at the break and brought on a fresh pair of legs in attack in Rodney Elongo-Yombo. The substitute's first involvement was a foul for which he was yellow-carded. He will therefore also be suspended for Saarbrücken.

With fire in his belly, Elongo-Yombo earned himself the first opportunity of the second period shortly afterwards. His strike towards the near corner was parried by VfB goalkeeper Dennis Seimen (52). And the ensuing corner-kick posed a threat too. The ball ultimately found its way to Almugera Kabar, whose header from close range landed on the roof of the net (53).

Dortmund subsequently kept up the pressure but VfB defended the home team's attacks well and made an impact of their own via long balls. But just like in the first period, Lotka made a strong save to keep out the attempt from the unmarked Sankoh (72). At the other end, a deflected cross from another substitute, Babis Drakas, struck the shoulder of Elongo-Yombo, and the ball flew over the frame of the goal from close range (75).

The Rote Erde briefly fell silent in the 84th minute. A Stuttgart corner sailed through the penalty area and no Black & Yellow player could make the clearance. Former Dortmund player Dominik Nothnagel reacted the quickest and fired powerfully into the net from within a crowd of players.

After falling behind, the U23s threw everything forward once again but could not draw themselves level. Only Roggow's header posed any kind of threat for the Swabian outfit. The defeat meant that BVB dropped into the relegation zone with one match of the season remaining.

Coach Mike Tullberg: "The lads worked really well off the ball and closed the spaces well. We were a bit vulnerable from long balls. It does hurt when you concede a goal from a corner-kick in the 84th minute when two players are caught napping at the back post. That decides a game like this. We had talked before the game about the fact that set-pieces could be decisive today. We're by no means relegated yet."

Outlook: The U23s will be away to promotion contenders 1. FC Saarbrücken on the final matchday. Kick-off at Ludwigsparkstadion is at 13:30 CEST next Saturday (17/05).