Wuppertaler SV celebrated a point against Borussia Dortmund’s U23 team. Head coach Sebastian Tyrala was very satisfied with the 2-2 draw against the third division relegation team.

After the bitter 0-5 defeat against SV Rödinghausen last week, Wuppertaler SV quickly got back on track. On the fourth matchday of the Regionalliga West, the Bergisch team fought hard to earn a respectable 2-2 (1-1) draw against third division relegated team Borussia Dortmund II. They were supported by hundreds of away fans at the Rote Erde stadium. The WSV fell behind twice from set pieces, but twice they came back against what is arguably the best team in the league. “Dortmund is a very good team. You could see the quality they have in their line-up and on the bench. That makes me all the more proud of my boys’ great performance,” praised head coach Sebastian Tyrala. At first, center back Ben Hüning headed the Black and Yellows into a 1-0 lead from a corner (22′). Wuppertal’s Hans-Juraj Hartmann had the quick response (30′). After the break, Hüning scored twice with headers (47th minute), and Amin Bouzraa equalized with a crisp shot to make it 2-2 (55th minute). That goal also marked the final score. The suspended coach watched from the stands as his team broke down the Bundesliga second string with basic virtues: “We dug in, threw ourselves into everything and then switched gears superbly. The goals we conceded were still too easy, we need to be closer to them, that’s annoying. Nevertheless, I’m very satisfied with the way the game went.”

This mood was not shared by BVB II after the draw. Once again, individual mistakes cost Dortmund the victory. “We lost possession twelve times in the first half. That created chances for the opposition,” said coach Mike Tullberg, annoyed. The Danish-born coach continued: “That’s a reflection of our preparation and the last few weeks. If we score two goals, that should be enough. We can’t concede two, three, four in every game. (…) We’re making too many basic mistakes. That can’t happen to the guys at this level.“ Even though his team is ”giving it their all on the pitch,” commitment alone is not enough. Tullberg believes the reason for the team’s susceptibility to mistakes is that last year, in the 3rd division, BVB was still playing the role of a reactive team with a counterattacking style of football. Now, however, the team is one division lower and needs to combine better, which is still a problem. The opponents know this and are waiting for Borussia to make mistakes in their build-up play so they can counterattack – so far with considerable success.

The fact that team captain Tony Reitz had to be substituted due to injury against WSV did not improve the mood. Tullberg: “The way he left the field, I’m afraid it will be a long lay-off.” Next week, Dortmund’s reserves will be away to VfL Bochum II (August 23, 2 p.m.). At the same time, Wuppertaler SV will host FC Schalke 04 II.

Line-up:

Wuppertaler SV: Luyambula – Müller, Dervisevic, Hartmann, Bielitza, Miyamoto – Aydogan, Schaub (78. Wagemann), Rebronja – Fehr (66. Kamo), Bouzraa (78. Sekaki)

Borussia Dortmund II: Ostrzinski – Göbel, Hüning, Lelle, Krevsun – Reitz (58. Feddersen), Eberwein (69. Boyamba), Foti – Drakas, Wüstenhagen, Diallo (46. Azhil)

Referee: Luca Marx

Goals: 1-0 Hüning (22.), 1-1 Hartmann (30.), 2-1 Hüning (47.), Bouzraa (55.)