2-0 loss in Dresden condemns U23s to first defeat of season

The scenario: The U23s were still unbeaten after three rounds of matches, with one victory and two draws. BVB went into the match without having not yet conceded a goal. The visitors from Dresden had six points on the board. The U23s had come away from the previous three matches between the two teams empty-handed, with all three games ending in defeat.

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Personnel matters: Dortmund coach Jan Zimmermann had recently selected the same formation twice in a row, but decided to rotate again in the final match of this English week. Zimmermann made five changes to the team that drew 0-0 in Regensburg. “The recovery period was very short, they were intense matches. None of these changes are down to negative performance reasons,” said Zimmermann of his decision. The rotation saw Jermain Nischalke make his first start.

The match & analysis: The two teams did not size each other up at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Dresden started forcefully, quickly gaining the upper hand and registering significantly more of the chances. After only six minutes, Stefan Kutschke converted a cross to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

With the lead under their belts, Dynamo continued to play with tempo and tried above all else to use the flanks to create opportunities. But initially, it was two set-pieces that posed a danger. Tom Zimmerschied (10) and Jakob Lewald (13) were unsuccessful with their attempts, however. BVB keeper Marcel Lotka made a stunning save to keep out a long-range shot from Paul Will (15).

Dresden subsequently continued with their attractive link-up play, while Dortmund had no control over the game. BVB got a stroke of luck in the 21st minute when a misunderstanding between Hendry Blank and Lotka resulted in the ball falling to Kutschke, but the striker headed wide of the mark. After that big opportunity, the home team posed a threat for the first time. A free-kick from Ole Pohlmann drew a strong reflex save from Dynamo goalkeeper Stefan Drljaca.

BVB might have now established a better foothold in the game, but the visitors continued to create the more compelling chances. Claudio Kammerknecht first fired over the crossbar (30), then Lotka turned a shot from Jakob Lemmer around the post (35).

The first chance of the second period fell to Dresden again. And Lotka again intervened with a strong reflex stop to save the U23s (47). At the other end, substitute Julian Hettwer fired a first warning shot from long range (49).

But it was an isolated effort, with the visitors continuing to set the tone in the second period. BVB were fortunate that Lotka was having a good day. After a loss of possession in the Black & Yellow build-up play, the unmarked Luca Herrmann saw his shot blocked by the foot of Lotka (58). 

But even the Dortmund goalie was then powerless with almost a quarter of an hour to go. Substitute Dennis Borkowski converted a penalty kick to make it 2-0 to Dresden.

The game then increasingly petered out in the closing stages. There was little in the way of goalmouth action – until substitute Samuel Bamba curled a shot against the outside of the post (89).

Coach Jan Zimmermann: “We probably lost the match in the first period. We showed too much humility, too much respect. Then we’ll have problems in this league. We were really in the game in the second period and had spells in which we applied pressure. But this defeat will not knock us off balance. We’ll now rest and learn from our mistakes.”

Outlook: The third away match of the season will take the U23s to Saarbrücken: the Black & Yellows will visit the Saarland on Friday (1/9). Kick-off is at 19:00 CET.

Goals: 0-1 Kutschke (6), 0-2 Borkowski (pen., 77)

U23s: Lotka – Tattermusch, Blank, Suver, Bueno – Pfanne (Roggow, 86), Azhil (Eberwein, 78), Pohlmann, Michel (Bamba, 66) – Butler (Hettwer, 46), Nischalke (Besong, 66)

Phillip Oldenburg