The games are coming thick and fast. After reaching the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals, Borussia’s league-leading U19s are preparing for another top match against fourth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach in the penultimate round of A-Junior Bundesliga West action at the Brackel Youth Performance Centre at 11:00 CET on Saturday (LIVE on DFB-TV). The U17s are away to relegation-battling FC Hennef 05 on Saturday (11:00 CET).

BVB need four more points from their two matches at home to the Foals and away to Bayer Leverkusen (11 March) in order to be totally sure of a place in the Final Round of the German Championship. After their amazing achievement against Paris Saint-Germain, whom they knocked out on penalties, Mike Tullberg’s team will need to produce another show of strength. Some personnel changes are to be expected compared to the match in the UEFA Youth League, especially given that Silas Ostrzinski, Göktan Gürpüz, Abdoulaye Kamara and Prince Aning are only available to play on the international stage. Jaden Korzynietz, Michel Ludwig and Rafael Lubach are contenders to return to the starting line-up.

Mönchengladbach are on a four-game winning streak in the Bundesliga and last lost at the end of October. Coach Alexander Ende’s charges have stabilised significantly in all areas of the team and have especially gained quality in attack thanks to the goal threat of Michael Nduka and David Arize. “We’re expecting a strong footballing opponent, but we’ll give everything to remain unbeaten at home,” assured coach Mike Tullberg, whose team are yet to taste defeat on home turf.

Karsten Gorges: “Do our homework”

Arminia Bielefeld’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of FC Schalke 04 means that Borussia’s U17s have another opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals of the German Championship as runners-up. For that to happen, coach Karsten Gorges’ team must win away to relegation-embattled FC Hennef 05 on the penultimate matchday of the Bundesliga West (11:00 CET on Saturday) and hope the East Westphalians drop points at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Gladbach, who are coached by former Dortmund man Sascha Eickel, are also still in with a chance of second spot. “We have an obligation to do our homework, we have no influence on the rest,” explained coach Karsten Gorges. (wiwi)