The Borussia Dortmund U17s sent out a statement of intent in the Bundesliga West, as they fought their way to a much celebrated 3-2 win away to reigning champions Schalke 04 and thereby solidified their place in the upper reaches of the league. “It was unbelievable how the boys fought,” said head coach Marco Lehmann after the final whistle. 

Borussia came into the derby against the second-placed team in the table with a very depleted squad: centre-back Tyler Meiser had to move up to the U19s to replace the injured Filippo Mane, while captain Jonas Feddersen tore the outer and syndesmosis ligaments in his ankle in training and will be out for the rest of the year, as will striker Diego Ngambia (groin injury). In addition to the ill Oskar Schwarz, long-term absentees Jonah Markötter and Anas Mahjoubi were also unavailable.

Marco Lehmann was therefore forced to reorganise his entire defensive unit. The patchwork back-three was made up of the impressive 14-year-old Luca Riedl, Elias Benkara and Julian Driedger. Mussa Kaba and Oliwer Blaszczyk lined up out wide. Joshua Burstedde, Fritz Fleck, Nick Cherny and Ousmane Diallo formed the midfield, while Len Wörnsdörfer played as the lone striker.

BVB started the game boldly and full of attacking intent. “We immediately stepped up to the challenge out there and confidently used attack as the best form of defence. That was really great,” said Lehmann, praising the attitude of his boys. After Schalke missed an early big chance, the Black & Yellows increasingly took command of what was an extremely intense first half. Amidst a period of sustained Dortmund pressure, it was the host who took a 1-0 lead against the run of play through Taycan Etcibasi (29). The goal came about as the result of a counter-attack and an individual defensive error. But BVB didn’t let their heads drop and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 33rd minute, which Ousmane Diallo scored from the penalty spot after being fouled. The rollercoaster ride continued: Etcibasi scored a second goal for Schalke (39), but Borussia again had an answer. Diallo’s cross was turned into the net by the impressive Nick Cherny just before the break to make it 2-2.

Cena finishes off Cherny’s assist

In the second half, Schalke gained the upper hand somewhat, but BVB remained switched on and looked comfortable defensively. The Black & Yellows continued to press their opponents high up the pitch and remained a real threat with their quick transition play, especially through the energetic Nick Cherny. It certainly helped that Marco Lehmann seemed to have the Midas touch with his substitutions. Valon Cena, who replaced Ousmane Diallo in the 70th minute, popped up in the second minute of time added to add the finishing touch to a Cherny delivery to bring the score to 3-2 and trigger scenes of euphoria. 

“Games likes this are usually not decided by individual quality, but rather by attitude and teamwork. The boys threw themselves after every ball,” said Marco Lehmann, emphasising the outstanding team performance.

Next Saturday, BVB will kick off the second round of fixtures with a trip to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. 

BVB: Herdes – Kaba, Riedl, Benkara, Blaszczyk – Wörsdörfer (64, Degener), Driedger – Cherny, Fleck (85, Svitek), Diallo (70, Cena)– Burstedde (85, Hoy).

(wiwi)