BVB at the Premier League International Cup: opener against Leeds United | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund's U23 and U19 teams have already headed into their winter break. However, a highlight still awaits a combination of both squads in the coming days, as BVB is set to compete in the Premier League International Cup.

A total of 32 teams are taking part, divided into four groups of eight. There are 16 English clubs and 16 European teams, including, alongside BVB, the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus Turin, and Sporting Lisbon, as well as Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach. According to the regulations, the international clubs only face English opponents.

The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals, with the first two group matches scheduled for this week. BVB will first face Leeds United in York today (8 p.m. CET), and then on Friday (also 8 p.m. CET) they will take on Manchester United's youth team at Old Trafford. The remaining two group stage matches for BVB will take place in January against West Ham United (13.1.) and AFC Sunderland (21.1.).

Three Over-21 Players Allowed

Each match allows for three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 21. However, BVB has only nominated three over-21 players: goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski, Babis Drakas, and Ayman Azhil.

The following players are also included: Jordi Paulina, Arne Wessels, Tony Reitz, Ben Hüning, Almugera Kabar, Danylo Krevsun (all U21), Aaron Held, Samuele Inacio, Taycan Ectibasi, Luca Reggiani, Mathis Albert, Mussa Kaba, Nick Cherny, Jonas Feddersen, Thierry Tazemeta, Romeo Ritter, Michel Pharell Kegni (all U19).

Thomas Broich, head of the BVB youth academy, makes no secret of his excitement for the tournament on the club's website: “I'm as excited as a little kid before Christmas. Both teams had a very turbulent first half of the season with some really great successes towards the end, and right now we have tremendous momentum. It almost feels like a bonus that we get to play at Old Trafford.”

Despite an “extremely challenging competition,” Broich is aiming for “absolutely the maximum” with regard to his own squad, putting him on the same wavelength as U23 coach Daniel Rios, who, together with his U23 staff and U19 coach Felix Hirschnagl, forms the coaching team. “When I take part in a cup, I want to win it. We want to keep developing the boys,” is Rios’ goal before departure.

BVB fans can watch all matches of the Premier League International Cup live on the club’s own Twitch channel.

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