Borussia’s U19s will face MSK Zilina in the UEFA Youth League round of 16 play-offs on 6 or 7 February 2024, and will have to play this decisive game in Slovakia. The tie was the result of the draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

“A new and interesting opponent for us. In Zilina, we are expecting to face a team with an attacking mindset, who have already scored twelve goals in four games, but have also conceded six goals,” said Lars Ricken, director of the BVB Youth Performance Centre, about the draw. In the two rounds of the “domestic champions path”, the champions of Slovakia first eliminated Cypriot side FC Patos (5-0, 1-0) and then beat Sparta Prague (2-2, 4-4, 4-2 on penalties). Domestically, MSK Zilina currently lie sixth in the league, eleven points behind league leaders AC Trencin and ten behind second-placed Slovan Bratislava.

BVB will go into the match with confidence. “Of course, we want to make it through again this year – which would be our third time in a row,” said Lars Ricken. In the last two years, Mike Tullberg’s young charges have qualified for the UEFA Youth League round of 16 with play-off wins over Empoli FC (2022) and Hibernian FC (2023).

“We don’t know too much about our opponents, but we do know that they were the best team in Slovakia last year. And we also had our challenges in Empoli and Edinburgh (against Hibs), even though we managed to make it through. That is why we have great respect for Zilina. They are a good team at home and have home advantage for this one-legged tie,” said coach Mike Tullberg, adding: “We have once again managed to get a seventh match in the UEFA Youth League. In both of the last two years, we got to nine games. It would be cool if we were to manage that this time too. But first of all, we have to get the win in Zilina. This game will be another step in the boys’ development. We’re looking forward to it.”

Before travelling to Slovakia, the BVB youngsters still have to play Bundesliga matches against SC Paderborn (28 January) and Alemannia Aachen (3 February). After the short winter break, they will start their preparations for the second half of the season on 8 January. (wiwi)