The BVB youngsters’ run of nine games without defeat has come to an end. Borussia’s U17s were beaten 3-1 by Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday and missed the opportunity to stay in touch with league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04. BVB currently sit fourth.

BVB coach Marco Lehmann had a bad feeling in the days before the battle of the Borussias, as Mönchengladbach coach Mihai Enache was able to draw on his full squad for the first time this season, while BVB had to do without Dzonga (osteitis pubis) as well goalscorer Diego Ngmabia, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Mussa Kaba, who was so impressive in the 3-0 win against Cologne, had to take an extended break from training and initially took a seat on the bench. Joshua Burstedde, who had also been doubtful for some time before the game, moved into centre of the attack, with Nick Cherny shifting to the left. Justin Hoy operated in attacking midfield alongside Fritz Fleck.

“We did not allow them any chances from open play,” said Marco Lehmann, who was upset with the manner of the goals conceded and added: “You cannot give away goals like that.” Gladbach scored the opener in the fifth minute, when the outstanding Kilian Sauck scored direct from a corner-kick. Goals two and three both came from the penalty spot, with Can Güner making no mistake on 66 minutes and Niklas Swider following suit in the 86th minute.

BVB had quickly recovered from the early setback and put in a decent performance, finding the equaliser in the 56th minute after a fine individual effort from Nick Cherny. “We had a chance or two, but especially in these tight matches, we are lacking a real spearhead up front,” Lehmann said, lamenting Ngambia’s absence above all. 

Next Saturday, the U17s will contest the derby as they make the short trip to face FC Schalke 04.

U17s: Herdes – Cena (Kaba, 63), Meiser (Schwarz, 63), Benkara, Driedger – Degener, Feddersen (Riedl, 78) – Fleck, Hoy (Blaszczyk. 72) – Burstedde, Cherny
(wiwi)