Unbeaten and still hungry! U23 target points against Bocholt | OneFootball

Situation

After nine matchdays, BVB are the only team in the Regionalliga West still unbeaten. With 19 points, the team in third place is just one point behind FC Gütersloh and three behind league leaders Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. Even though the draw at SC Paderborn last Monday prevented them from moving further up the table, head coach Daniel Rios is positive in his interim assessment: “We’ve improved from game to game. The boys are developing, and we as a team are developing. That’s why we’re on a good path and very happy with the start,” the coach commented.

Because the match against Paderborn’s U21 was only played on Monday, there was once again less time for preparation than usual after several midweek rounds. That does not change the objective. For Finn Fuchs, the missed win in Paderborn has instead sparked even more determination. “Our goal is clearly to take all three points,” the defender emphasized.

Squad

Jan-Luca Riedl, who has been sidelined since the UEFA Youth League opener against Villarreal (2:3), has returned to rehabilitation training but is not yet available. Whether Diego Ngambia, who missed the match in Paderborn and is carrying a knock, will return to the squad will be decided at short notice. It also remains unclear whether Fadi Zarqelain will be an option. The 17-year-old will only return from the DFB prospects training camp one day before the match against Bocholt. “We will speak with Fadi and ask him how he feels. Then we’ll decide whether he is involved or not,” said Rios.

Opponents

With 13 points, 1. FC Bocholt currently sit sixth in the table. Since the start of the season, the team has been coached by former Dynamo Dresden second-division manager Guerino Capretti. The “Schwatten” have been particularly impressive away from home: they are unbeaten in their four matches on the road so far. For Rios, the visitors’ league position is therefore only of limited significance. Despite Bocholt’s mixed start to the season overall, the BVB coach still considers them among the promotion contenders:

“We have to prepare for a strong team and must not be fooled by their position in the table. Their points tally so far does not reflect the quality in their squad. They have individual class and a clear plan. A new coach and several new players arrived in the summer. Sometimes that just takes a little time. It will be a major challenge.” For Bocholt, the away match in Dortmund marks the start of a decisive spell. After the clash with third-placed BVB, they will face Gütersloh and Oberhausen, the two current leaders of the Regionalliga West.

Weakness

More pace, more creativity, more moments in the opposition penalty area: the footballing development of Dortmund’s U23 side is unmistakable this season. At the same time, however, one weakness has also become apparent on several occasions: converting chances. In the 1:1 draw in Paderborn, BVB once again failed to make the most of too many opportunities despite their superiority, costing themselves a possible victory. Given the young squad, head coach Daniel Rios points to the development process, but still sees no reason for concern: “As long as we are creating so many scoring chances, we are on the right track. But we have many young players who still have a lot to learn — it’s all about development. We need to put more emphasis in training on finishing those chances with greater focus.”

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