U23 set for crunch clash with promoted side Rhynern | OneFootball

Situation

With a win in the rescheduled match, BVB could move even closer to the top of the table. With four wins and three draws so far, BVB sit in fourth place, ready to pounce. This is due not only to the recent win over Rödinghausen, but also to league leaders Gütersloh suffering their first defeat last weekend against Mönchengladbach (1–2). If the Black & Yellows also win the rescheduled fourth matchday fixture against fellow high-flyers from Hamm, the gap to Gütersloh and Oberhausen (both on 19 points) would shrink to just one point. It speaks to Borussia’s growing stability that they kept their nerve even after falling behind, as they did against Rödinghausen. Rios therefore also saw that performance as an encouragement ahead of the clash with Rhynern: “Wins like that do everyone good and strengthen the team’s belief in its own abilities. The way we fought our way back into the game and then went on to win it was really pleasing.” Tickets are available in the online ticket shop; the match will be broadcast live on LEAGUES.

Squad

It says a lot about BVB’s well-balanced squad that the team came through the last two matches—away to third-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach U23 (0–0) and at home to SV Rödinghausen—without defeat even without defensive leader Jesper Verlaat. The captain is making progress physically, but is not yet fully fit. “We’ll have to see whether Wednesday is too soon for him or whether he’ll be ready for next Monday’s match in Paderborn,” says Daniel Rios.

Opponents

Westfalia Rhynern have been one of the league’s biggest surprises so far. The fearless promoted side from Hamm are in fifth place, just one point behind BVB. A little over two weeks ago, Rhynern even earned a highly respectable 1–1 draw against league leaders Gütersloh. Head coach Marco Stiepermann, who was born in Dortmund and is a former BVB professional, was delighted after the recent 1–0 win at VfL Bochum: “What we’ve achieved so far is something unbelievable, something great.” The only clear defeat came against Oberhausen (1–4). The strong start to the season by their next opponents has earned BVB coach Rios’s respect: “I’m expecting a game like the one against Rödinghausen. Rhynern are extremely dangerous in transition and from set pieces. We have to control the game and avoid unnecessary turnovers.”

Comeback

Finally, the thrill is back; finally, the competitive atmosphere is back: Mussa Kaba made his first appearance for BVB last weekend since March. Despite his long enforced absence, the talented Dortmund midfielder impressed in the win over Rödinghausen with his accurate passing and strength in the challenge. Enzo Dos Santos also made a promising comeback after the injury he suffered during the first team’s BVB Evonik Japan Tour in pre-season. As planned, both 17-year-olds were substituted at half-time. “Mussa is part of the first-team setup, just like Enzo. For both of them, it’s now about getting minutes and finding their rhythm. What happens next will be decided in consultation with the first-team staff,” said Rios with regard to possible further Regionalliga appearances.

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