Borussia Dortmund’s U19s have rounded off the year by winning their final match. Mike Tullberg’s team followed up their 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the top match and their 2-0 triumph against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Youth League by beating SC Verl 3-0 in a rescheduled Bundesliga fixture. Julian Rijkhoff (2) and Vincenzo Onofrietti scored the goals.

Mike Tullberg continued to keep faith with 16-year-old defenders Elias Benkara and Tyler Meiser, who once again went about their business flawlessly in the clash with the East Westphalians. Vincenzo Onofrietti, who had earned himself a starting berth for his performances in recent weeks, started in attack alongside Julian Rijkhoff and Paris Brunner. Rafael Lubach returned to the team following his suspension and formed a perfectly functioning central midfield partnership with Kjell Wätjen once again.

BVB let there be no doubts about the outcome of the match right from the beginning. Rijkhoff put the team ahead with two goals in the 10th and 24th minutes (penalty). Onofrietti then made it 3-0 in the second half following Rijkhoff’s assist, having previously been denied by Verl goalkeeper Laurin Wiedemann. Wätjen hit the post (50), with Rijkhoff, substitute Charles Herrmann and Meiser also failing to increase the margin of victory.

“My only point of criticism is the chance conversion. But after a very difficult week, it was a very decent performance,” summarised Tullberg, who gave his squad a first-class report card: “The boys have developed really well and can be proud of themselves. Despite all the problems, the team only played one bad Bundesliga match in Duisburg and have sensationally reached the play-offs in the UEFA Youth League.” 

BVB: Lisewski – Rashidi (Ubani, 87), Benkara, Posadas, Meiser – Wätjen, Lubach – Onofrietti (Diallo, 72), Krevsun (Herrmann, 54), Brunner (Campbell, 46) – Rijkhoff (Niziolek, 87)

The possible opponents in the play-off round

UEFA will conduct the draw for the eight play-off ties in the UEFA Youth League, which will take place on 6/7 February 2024, in Nyon, Switzerland on Tuesday. BVB have qualified for the preliminary round for the third time in succession. In addition, fellow Bundesliga clubs FC Bayern Munich and RasenBallsport Leipzig both qualified as group runners-up while German champions FSV Mainz 05 made it via the Domestic Champions path.

The possible away opponents in a knockout tie are AZ Alkmaar, Basel, Midtjylland, Nantes, Olympiakos, Partizan Belgrade and MSK Zilina. The most difficult draw would definitely be AZ Alkmaar. The Dutch outfit won the UEFA Youth League last season courtesy of a 5-1 victory against Hajduk Split in the final. (wiwi)