The Borussia Dortmund U23s will face VfB Lübeck on home turf in the 3. Liga on Saturday. The kick-off at Stadion Rote Erde will be at 16:30 CET.

In their home game against the team from the far north, who sit third-bottom in the table, BVB want to sign off for the international break with a successful result. The promoted side currently have 12 points on the board and have the division’s third-worst defence, with 24 goals conceded.

But for Dortmund coach Jan Zimmermann, those numbers are no reason to underestimate the opposition. Lübeck have won only one game in their last 11 league outings – a run stretching back to the end of August – but that sole victory came two weeks ago against a highly regarded Viktoria Köln side (3-2). “You don’t beat Viktoria at a canter,” warned Zimmermann, who described the upcoming opposition as follows: “Lübeck have a robust and combative team but one which also boasts individual quality.”

Nonetheless, the match provides BVB with the opportunity “to further extend the gap to the teams below them,” said Zimmermann in reference to the table. “In recent weeks, we’ve not rewarded ourselves with as many goals and points as would have actually been possible,” reflected the coach, adding: “We get into a lot of promising situations in front of goal, but we often don’t finish them off successfully.” However, the coach has faith in his charges and is counting on his team to reward themselves with a deserved success against Lübeck.

That said, the U23s will be without Michael Eberwein, who is suspended for one match after accumulating a fifth yellow card in Ingolstadt. “That’s bitter, of course, because we already have a lot of absentees,” commented Zimmermann. “Michael is very important for our game. On the other hand, we still have enough alternatives. That’s why I’m sure we’ll be able to make up for his absence.”

There will also be a change in between the sticks for Dortmund after Marcel Lotka received a four-game suspension due to his red card in Ingolstadt. “Marcel is an outstanding goalkeeper whom we will miss,” said the coach, while also recognising the great opportunity for other talented young players: “I’m delighted that the boys are getting the opportunity to showcase themselves.” Tiago Estevao and Silas Ostrzinski are the two candidates for the goalkeeping position. While Ostrzinski previously made two appearances in the third division last season, it would be Estevao’s debut in this league and his first competitive match in a BVB shirt.
Daniel Mertens