The Borussia Dortmund U23s rounded off the first half of the season by beating Hallescher FC 2-1 with a combative performance – and they did so despite being a man down for 36 minutes. The win saw BVB break their first half-season points record from 2021/22.

The scenario: The U23s went into their final game of the first half-season in a comfortable mid-table position with 25 points (12th place). That’s seven points more than they had at the same stage of last season. In HFC, BVB II were up against a club whose recent resurgence had carried them clear of the relegation zone. The two teams had previously met 10 times in the 3. Liga, with BVB never tasting defeat. However, the last three matches had all ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Personnel matters: Marcel Lotka returned to the BVB goal after a four-match suspension. In addition, coach Jan Zimmermann made two other changes to the starting line-up compared to the 1-1 draw in Ulm: Patrick Göbel began at right-back instead of Ted Tattermusch (injured), while Falko Michel came into the team for Michael Eberwein, who had to start on the bench for age-related reasons. In addition to Göbel (30), there were already two over-23 players in the starting line-up in Mario Suver (24) and captain Franz Pfanne (29). Antonios Papadopoulos, Hendry Blank and Samuel Bamba were in the Bundesliga squad for the match in Augsburg.

The match & analysis: Halle started the match with plenty of confidence and tempo. HFC midfielder Timur Gayret fired a first warning shot after only 40 seconds but was denied by Marcel Lotka.

The Black & Yellows needed a little time but then found their way into the game and seized the initiative. But BVB, who attacked time and time again down the right flank through Patrick Göbel and Julian Hettwer in particular, could not initially find solutions against the visitors’ well-structured defence. It therefore took some time to turn their visual superiority into actual danger. Franz Pfanne first headed a Göbel corner well over (27), then Falko Michel went for goal from a distance (33).

But the home team were then finally rewarded for their efforts in the 38th minute. After winning the ball deep in the HFC half, Pohlmann was brought down around 18 metres from goal. He stepped up to take the kick himself and struck the ball beautifully into the net with his right foot.

But HFC, who had looked listless for long spells, were unperturbed by the goal. BVB keeper Lotka had to make excellent saves on two occasions to keep out shots from Gayret (40, 45+2). As the half-time whistle approached, BVB once again showed what has made them so strong this season: Dortmund hit Halle on the counter in ruthless fashion. Following a HFC corner-kick, Pohlmann quickly switched the play, got the better of two opposing players and subsequently passed the ball from the left flank over to Hettwer on the right. The attacker played a low cross into the middle towards the unmarked Ayman Azhil, who slotted home in ice-cold fashion to make it 2-0.

Halle improved significantly after the interval and pushed BVB back into their own half. Deniz rewarded the visitors’ efforts by pulling a goal back (52). And things were to get even worse for BVB as Göbel was shown two yellow cards in the space of only four minutes (50/54). The right-back first put in a late challenge on Deniz and then went into a tackle with his studs up. Coach Zimmermann reacted to the sending-off by making his first substitution, with Mateu Morey replacing Michel.

But the dismissal had an impact, with the Borussia defence now subjected to wave after wave of attack. HFC repeatedly posed a danger down their strong right flank in particular. The best opportunity was thwarted by Suver, who blocked Casar’s shot with a strong sliding intervention (64).

However, Halle did not let up and had further opportunities through substitutes Bolyki (75/77) and Baumann (78). But the defensive line marshalled by the excellent Franz Pfanne withstood the attacks. Only deep into stoppage time did things get really dangerous once again: Bolyki’s bicycle kick flew narrowly wide of the mark.

The win meant the Black & Yellows broke their first half-season points record from the 2021/22 promotion season. Dortmund collected 27 points back then. They now have 28 points this term.

Coach Jan Zimmermann: “When I see the team performance we produced today, I’m really, really proud of the boys. However, we did make life a bit difficult for ourselves. I think we played a super first half. And in the second half we put in a super combative performance. Everyone here has a real desire to play for this team and wants to play their part in our success. Of course, we’re proud of the points record because we’re also aware of the circumstances, with our injury worries, player releases to the pros and uncertainties.”

Outlook: BVB will be in third-tier action one more time this year. Promoted Preußen Münster will pay a visit to Dortmund on Wednesday 20/12. Kick-off is at 19:00 CET. The reverse fixture ended 0-0.

Goals: 1-0 Pohlmann (38), 2-0 Azhil (45+3), 2-1 Deniz (52)

Red card: Göbel (54)

U23s: Lotka – Göbel, Pfanne, Suver, Guille Bueno – Roggow, Azhil, Pohlmann (Kamara, 83) – Hettwer (Semic, 90), Michel (Morey, 57), Elongo-Yombo

Phillip Oldenburg