After moving up to third, BVB U23 want more at 1. FC Bocholt | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund’s second team has a tight schedule to deal with these days. After the 2-1 win on Wednesday in the rescheduled match away at SSVg Velbert, they continue as early as Sunday with an away game against 1. FC Bocholt on Matchday 31 of the Regionalliga West. BVB’s U23s naturally want to defend the third place they have just claimed in the table.

The fact that Bocholt are only in 14th place is not something Dortmund coach Daniel Rios wants to put too much emphasis on. Instead, he warned on the club website against going into the game overconfidently: “In terms of potential, this team belongs higher up the table. We shouldn’t look at their position, but at their quality.”

Rios explained the changes to the starting lineup in the last two matches — four in one game and as many as six in the other — by saying that the entire squad is working well and earning playing time: “The boys are performing very well in training and have deserved their appearances. If that weren’t the case, we would rotate less,” said the BVB coach, making it clear that he is likely to bring in fresh personnel again.

Eberwein and Benkara back in the squad

Two changes in the starting eleven could come through the return of the now-fit Elias Benkara and Michael Eberwein, who was absent in Velbert due to the birth of his daughter. Still unavailable, however, are long-term absentees Felix Paschke, Pharell Kegni, and Nick Cherny.

Photo: IMAGO

Ismael Mansaray and Mussa Kaba, who are both still recovering, are also not yet options. Renewed appearances by young professionals Filippo Mane and Luca Reggiani are possible, however, though that also depends on Niko Kovac’s plans. Samuele Inacio, on the other hand, is more likely to be included in the senior squad for the home match against SC Freiburg, which is also scheduled for Sunday.

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