U19s face Cottbus in DFB-Pokal first round | OneFootball

Alongside the Bundesliga and UEFA Youth League, the Borussia U19s are now preparing to contest a third competition, as they face FC Energie in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in Cottbus on Saturday (11:00 CET). Elsewhere, the U17s meet promoted Sportfreunde Siegen in the U17 Bundesliga (Sunday, 11:00 CET, youth performance centre Brackel).

After losing 2-0 at home to FC Copenhagen, Mike Tullberg's U19 team now face their next big challenge in the form of Energie Cottbus, who have emerged as one of the top teams in the North/Northeast Bundesliga. The Lusatians finished last season in second place behind champions Hertha BSC, and are currently fourth in the standings this term. They recently celebrated wins over Viktoria Berlin (4-0) and SV Meppen (1-0), drew with Werder Bremen (2-2) and were unfortunate to lose 3-2 away to Holstein Kiel. "They are a really good, strong and physical side. We'll have to deliver our best performance,'' cautioned Mike Tullberg ahead of the match.

After fielding five players from the U23s in the UEFA Youth League, the coach will revert to the squad that is undefeated in the Bundesliga so far. "It will be difficult, but of course our goal is to reach the second round," says Tullberg, who has made no secret of his desire to win a first DFB-Pokal with BVB. The Black & Yellows reached the final last season, where they were defeated by VfB Stuttgart.

Paris Brunner, the top scorer in the U17 Bundesliga West (14 goals in four games), will make his U19 debut. Mike Tullberg was pleased with Brunner's performance as a substitute in the UEFA Youth League: "He did really well and had a powerful impact on our attacking play.''

Meiser and Zickler to feature against Siegen

U17 coach Karsten Gorges will therefore have to make do without his most prolific striker for the game against Sportfreunde Siegen. "I am very happy for Paris, and as a coaching team we also feel this promotion serves as confirmation of our work," he said, adding: "Paris needs special encouragement and care." An injury to Charles Herrmann means that another key attacking player will be unavailable.

Nevertheless, Gorges is looking to the game with confidence: "We were never dependent on Paris and will find new solutions." Hopefully this will happen in the clash with the newly-promoted team from Siegerland. "We will have a good team on the pitch and are prepared for an opponent who have played in various different formations so far this season,'' assures the U17 head coach. Besides Brunner and Herrmann, centre-back Elias Benkara (cruciate ligament rupture) is also missing. Question marks also surround the participation of Kjell Wätjen and Cole Campbell. Tyler Meiser has served his two-week suspension and will make his return to the backline. Jakob Zickler is also hoping to make his comeback after recovering from tonsillitis. (wiwi)