BVB suffer narrow derby defeat against Schalke 04 | OneFootball

Head coach Markus Högner made two changes to his team compared to last week’s Regionalliga match. Ronja Leubner and Annika Enderle, who both scored after coming on as substitutes in the recent match against Vorwärts Spoho Köln, started in place of Jasmin Jabbes and Yasu Wöhrn. Paula Reimann, Annika Enderle and Ann-Sophie Vogel were the three Borussia players in the starting line-up who also started in last season’s 2-0 win in the Westfalenpokal final.

A narrow deficit despite more chances

Both teams started the match with quick transitions and high pressing, making for an entertaining opening phase. Both in attack and defence, the action took place mainly on the Black & Yellows' left flank. It was Ann-Sophie Vogel who made the first offensive impact, delivering two dangerous crosses in the 11th and 15th minutes, gaining the upper hand in one-on-ones with her sister Alessandra, who plays for Schalke. Sara Ito failed to capitalise on the best chance of the early stages, her shot from the edge of the box (19) missing the target by just a few inches. Four minutes later, it was the team from Gelsenkirchen who quickly switched play after Dortmund lost possession and took a 1-0 lead thanks to a lob from Jolina Opladen.

The goal briefly disrupted the BVB women’s concentrated build-up play. However, they fought back and Rita Schumacher scored a deserved equaliser in the 39th minute. The number 10 touched the ball past S04 defender Stojan and finished beautifully into the left corner past goalkeeper Matuszek. Shortly before the half-time whistle, the hosts played the ball to striker Mandy Islacker in the penalty area, who scored with her first shot on goal to give the Royal Blues a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Set-pieces aplenty for the Black & Yellows

After the break, the Black & Yellows increased the pressure and came close to equalising twice (46, 49). Goalscorer Rita Schumacher was everywhere, taking corners and free kicks in what seemed like every minute. Twenty minutes after the restart, Celina Baum was a step too late to head home a cross from Annika Enderle on the goal line, which would have made it 2-2. Just three minutes later, a long-range shot from Sara Ito – as in the first half – missed the post by a whisker.

The BVB women did not give up and, with significantly more possession, combined time and again around the Schalke penalty area. The hosts sat deep in their own half and defended their narrow lead with all their might and a little bit of luck. Due to a close offside decision, Jenske Steenwijk’s would-be equaliser in the 95th minute was disallowed. Shortly afterwards, the BVB women had to admit defeat in the Westfalen Cup after a determined fight.

Next week, the BVB women will be back in action in the Regionalliga West. The match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s U23s, currently fourth in the table, will kick off on Sunday (30 November) at 14:00 CET at the Rheinstadion. The game will be streamed live and free of charge on Pluto TV.