Now it matters: BVB women kick off the Regionalliga season | OneFootball

Initial situation

Before the start of the season, head coach Markus Högner looked back on the successful summer preparations: “We were fortunate to be able to start preparations and the training camp early. That gave us time to come together as a team and develop a structure that also helped us succeed against Roma at the weekend.” In numerous video analyses, the team identified early weaknesses and steadily built greater confidence and intensity. “I particularly liked our composure on the ball and the intensity in our challenges, especially in the second half. Now we want to carry the mindset from training and the friendly matches into the season,” said Högner.

Squad

In the friendly matches, Markus Högner rotated heavily, often bringing on eleven new players at half-time, and gained important insights: “We have even more quality in the squad this year, with almost every position having two players for it. That gives us healthy competition and means we can play and bring players on at a high level across the board.” 

Meanwhile, defender Yasu Wöhrn will be a long-term absentee for the team this coming season. On Tuesday evening, fears were confirmed that the 22-year-old suffered a torn cruciate ligament during the friendly against AS Roma. In addition, Marina Scholz is still sidelined with a bruise on the instep and will not be in the squad for the match against Arminia Bielefeld.

Opponents

On Thursday, the BVB women will face Arminia Bielefeld, an experienced Regionalliga side that has consistently been among the top teams in the Regionalliga West since being relegated from the 2. Bundesliga in 2020/21. Last season, the Bielefeld side finished third and drew 1-1 in both meetings with Borussia’s women. “We are up against one of the top teams in the Regionalliga. Bielefeld’s back four is tough to break down, but we will approach the game patiently, with courage and plenty of pace,” says Markus Högner.

New opponents

The Regionalliga West has been expanded to 16 teams this year as part of the planned introduction of a 3. Liga next year. Alongside familiar sides such as DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Fortuna Köln and Bayer Leverkusen U21, six new teams will also be competing for promotion to the 2. Bundesliga or qualification for the new 3. Liga. These include VfR SW Warbeyen, relegated from the 2. Bundesliga, as well as the five promoted teams from the Verbandsliga divisions: FC Schalke 04, SV Fortuna Freudenberg, Rhenania Bottrop, MSV Duisburg and DJK Südwest Köln.

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