The final stretch begins: BVB women visit GSV Moers | OneFootball

The scenario4-1, 6-0, 7-0: three convincing victories saw the BVB women’s team kick off 2026 as the only side in the Regionalliga West with nine points from three games. A target that was coupled with the rewarding prospect of “Easter without training” even before the season began, as head coach Markus Högner reveals. The holidays marked the last break in the Regionalliga West schedule; the remaining eight games will be played on a weekly basis without a break. “The four days off did everyone good,” explains Markus Högner, who has noticed a special enthusiasm for the game during training.

Personnel mattersAnn-Sophie Vogel is back on the pitch after recovering from a medial ligament injury in her right knee. The 27-year-old was fully integrated into team training after the Easter break. While returnee Sara Ito was back on the field for the 7-0 win against Deutz, Paula Reimann (Achilles tendon issues) only resumed training this week. For Mia Böger, who is dealing with a ligament injury in her ankle, Sunday’s game is still too soon.

The oppositionLike the BVB women’s team, GSV Moers celebrated promotion to the Regionalliga West only last season. So far this season, GSV are yet to win a game and sit bottom of the table with three points from 18 matches. The Borussia women won the first leg comfortably 9-0 at the Rote Erde Stadium. According to Markus Högner, the same qualities will be needed against an opponent expected to sit deep as in the previous match against Deutz: “We must exude dominance, put the opposition under pressure and find plenty of creative solutions.”

Good things come in threesDuring the winter break, the team practised a new playing system based on a back three. After three competitive matches, Markus Högner draws a positive interim conclusion: “We worked on this during pre-season, including in the friendlies against Bundesliga sides. We’ve now got this system 100 percent down. My plan is to remain flexible and be able to switch from a back three to a back four depending on the situation.” According to the head coach, this is a particularly useful tool for the final stages of the season, allowing the team to switch freely between the familiar 4-3-3 and the new 3-4-1-2 system. “Both systems have their advantages. The players can and should occupy different positions in each, but Jasmin Jabbes, for example, as a natural wing-back, benefits from the new system.”