U23s to host Mannheim in Oberhausen

Borussia Dortmund's U23s will play host to SV Waldhof Mannheim on Saturday 25/02 (14:00 CET). The match will take place at Stadion Niederrhein in Oberhausen.

Stadion Niederrhein will be the third venue at which the U23s have played a home game this season, after SIGNAL IDUNA PARK and Stadion am Zoo in Wuppertal. Until their return to the Rote Erde Stadion, which is still undergoing renovation, the Black & Yellows will have to play elsewhere - with Oberhausen the next destination. Ingo Preuß, the team's sporting director, sees no reason to complain: "I'm glad that we have found a decent venue. The situation is not ideal for anyone, but we can't change it. Now we'll play there and see what comes of it."

The team have not been able to train there in advance, with BVB set to make their way down the A42 to Oberhausen for the first time on the day of the match. It is not far from where the Borussia youngsters played last weekend. The Black & Yellows came away from their derby against Rot-Weiss Essen at the Hafenstraße with a 2-0 loss. "The first half was okay, but the second half was sobering. But the lads will keep fighting and get the reward for their efforts," Preuß said.

At present, the Dortmund reserves are still in 16th place, narrowly above the relegation zone, thanks to a goal difference which is superior to Oldenburg's by one goal. It is generally a very close relegation battle in the 3. Liga, with places 15 to 20 only separated by three points. The promotion race is similarly exciting, with the next opponents among the contenders. SV Waldhof are level with 1. FC Saarbrücken, who currently occupy the promotion play-off place. As SC Freiburg II, who currently sit in second spot, cannot be promoted, fourth place would be enough to reach the play-off.

One statistic especially stands out as far as Dortmund's next opponents are concerned: the side from Electoral Palatinate are the best home team in the league, but they have won just two games on the road. BVB, meanwhile, have racked up only three victories in front of their own fans. According to Ingo Preuß, Saturday will not come down to numbers and league standings: "Mannheim clearly have a good team, but there are a number of those. The league is very even."

With a few exceptions, BVB have given a respectable account of themselves against teams from the top half of the table this season - including in the reverse fixture against Mannheim. Dortmund were very good in the first half and led at the break. In the end, however, the U23s suffered a 2-1 defeat. Perhaps the Borussia youngsters will have better luck this time. It would surely do Ingo Preuß and everyone of a Black & Yellow persuasion good.

The U23s' match against SV Waldhof Mannheim can be watched live on Magenta-TV.