First match in Wuppertal: U23s to take on MSV Duisburg

The Borussia Dortmund U23s will take on MSV Duisburg at the Stadion am Zoo in Wuppertal on Saturday 16/10 (14:00 CET). The clash with the Zebras will be the first of three home games played outside Dortmund.

Due to the renovation works at Stadion Rote Erde and the significant strain the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK pitch is under, the U23s have been forced to move to Wuppertal - a temporary relocation to a venue where they have enjoyed great success over the years. BVB have twice celebrated promotion from the Regionalliga to the 3. Liga there on the final day of the season - both in the 2011/12 and 2020/21 campaigns. Ingo Preuss, the team's sporting manager, witnessed both promotions: "I have predominantly positive memories of the Stadion am Zoo. The two promotions were something very special. I will always associate them with the Stadion am Zoo. We're happy that Wuppertal have made it possible for us to play there on a temporary basis."

But the opponents on Sunday will be MSV, rather than WSV. Borussia's U23s will be hoping to build on their positive recent form against the Zebras: the Black & Yellows are on a three-match unbeaten run - during which they have taken five points - and most recently earned a point in a goalless draw in Halle on Monday. "We'd of course have preferred to win. But it was important to keep a clean sheet. And the draw was fair based on the balance of play," said coach Christian Preusser of the game.

But despite the recent upturn in fortunes, the situation remains serious. Because rival clubs have also picked up points during the same time period, which makes for an unusual situation at the foot of the table: all four clubs in the relegation berths are currently level on points, with nine apiece. "It's all really tight. It's a matter of working hard to keep picking up points. We've now put a mini run together. But there's still a lot of work to do," the 38-year-old coach explained.

In contrast to BVB, the upcoming opponents are on a downward slope. Duisburg might be in 11th place on 14 points, but the Meiderich outfit amassed 11 of them at the beginning of the season and have now suffered four defeats in their last five matches. But Preusser issued a word of warning: "I believe Duisburg are the toughest-tackling team in the league. It's going to be a real battle and we have to be ready for it. Going forward, we have to be more courageous again and create more chances than we did in Halle."

In terms of personnel, there are still some question marks ahead of the clash with the Zebras. Antonios Papadopoulos and Soumaila Coulibaly might be promoted to the senior squad once again. Michael Eberwein has not yet been able to train and faces a race against time to be fit. In addition, captain Franz Pfanne returned from Halle with an injury. A late-notice decision will be taken as to whether the 27-year-old can make the trip to Wuppertal. But the last time the veteran and his team-mates travelled to the Stadion am Zoo, it was certainly worth it. The Black & Yellows were promoted - and they will be hoping that good fortune in Wuppertal continues with three points against MSV Duisburg.