“Stay mentally strong”: BVB Women face Mecklenbeck away | OneFootball

The scenarioFollowing the draw in the top-of-the-table clash against Arminia Bielefeld, the Borussia women were left feeling frustrated and disappointed: “That’s completely understandable – I felt exactly the same,” said Markus Högner a few days after. “We may concede an early goal from time to time, but we can’t afford to make such simple mistakes as the first half progresses.” In the second half, Högner noted an improvement in his team’s performance, but would have liked to see more clinical finishing in front of the opposition’s goal. As their rivals from Cologne played their matchday 21 fixture back in early March, BVB can close the gap on the league leaders to just two points on Sunday.

Personnel mattersAccording to the manager, the aim is now to gradually increase the intensity week by week for captain Paula Reimann, who came on as a substitute in the second half against Bielefeld: “We don’t want to push her too much just yet following her recovery from Achilles tendon problems because we don't want the inflammation to flare up again.”

The opponentThe BVB women secured a 5-0 home victory in the reverse fixture against Mecklenbeck last October. However, the visitors repeatedly disrupted the Black & Yellows’ build-up play early on and, despite the ultimately clear result, maintained a well-organised defence for long periods – three of the five goals conceded came in the final third of the match. Markus Högner: “Mecklenbeck are in mid-table, but in the first half of the season their 2-1 win against 1. FC Köln’s U21s showed that they are capable of beating even the top sides.  So we’re expecting another test of patience on Sunday, and we need to stay mentally strong at all times and be ready when it counts.”

“That’s the big challenge”These are two qualities that are particularly important in a goalkeeper, and Dortmund’s number one, Laura van der Laan, has demonstrated both of these this season. She has rarely had to pick the ball out of the net so far this Regionalliga season, but in some matches where her side were thoroughly dominant, such as the recent 6-0 win against GSV Moers, she has had few opportunities to distinguish herself. “That’s the big challenge as a goalkeeper for a top team,” says Markus Högner. “Even if you aren’t called into action for a long stretch of the game, you have to stay alert at all times.” The coach is all the more pleased that his goalkeeper brings the necessary stability and composure to the team.