Will the run continue? BVB U23 host 1. FC Bocholt | OneFootball

With six consecutive games without a defeat, four of which were victories, Borussia Dortmund II has climbed to fifth place in the Regionalliga West in recent weeks after a mixed start to the season. On Sunday (kick-off at 2 p.m., Stadion Rote Erde), in their home match against 1. FC Bocholt, BVB’s U23 wants to continue this run.

The fact that the derby against FC Schalke 04 II, who are currently leading the table, is coming up a week later is, according to coach Daniel Rios, “not an issue for us yet. We are focusing on Bocholt and want to confirm what we have worked on during the long training week.”

Captain Tony Reitz still doubtful

Rios also doesn’t want to look too far ahead because the 45-year-old expects anything but an easy task on Sunday: “Bocholt is one of the teams that—despite the league’s overall balance—can compete for promotion. They have many experienced players who have already played at a higher level,” the BVB coach says, showing respect for the current eighth-placed team, who are only three points behind and could catch up with a win in the direct duel.

Personnel-wise, the conditions at BVB are not entirely optimal. With Mussa Kaba (Germany U17) as well as Samuele Inacio and Luca Reggiani (Italy U19), Mathis Albert (USA U19), and Miguel Adje (Switzerland U19), five players are away with their national teams. There are still question marks over Pharell Kegni due to a knee injury and captain Tony Reitz, whose participation will only be decided at short notice after suffering a laceration on his instep.

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