1-1 – U19s move closer

A great step forward was not there but the draw in a rearranged game in Wuppertal sees the U19s in the leading group for the run-in in the race to qualify for the German Championship final rounds. Tim Handwerker (69') scored to level at 1-1 away to WSV. That puts the Bayer 04 U19s just one point behind second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

For the first time after five wins on the bounce the U19s dropped two points in the rearranged game away to Wuppertaler SV.

The team coached by Markus von Ahlen and Iraklis Metaxas faced an energetic and hard-working opponent and appeared to be superior of the two sides. However, in contrast to the recent victories there was a lack of penetration up front.

Chances from set pieces

"We were definitely more effective in the recent wins," declared Metaxas. In the opening minutes, the Bayer 04 youngsters only looked dangerous from set pieces in front of the opposition goal.

In the closing stages of the first half, Wuppertal advanced into the Leverkusen penalty area for the first time and were able to open the scoring on 38 minutes. That made the task a little harder for the Werkself lads.

Attritional second half

The Wuppertal U19s sat back in the second half and used all means possible to disrupt Bayer 04's game. "But the lads never gave up and carried on in spite of all the obstacles," said von Ahlen.

Finally, it was left back Tim Handwerker who levelled direct from a free kick on 69 minutes to make it 1-1. The Werkself pressed for the winner in the closing stages and succeeded in creating two or three really good goalscoring opportunities. But they were unable to grab the winner.

Desire as a positive

"So soon after the game it feels like two points lost," admitted Metaxas with one eye on the table. A win would have taken them up to second place. "But one thing we take from the game is that the team never lost belief in themselves. That will definitely be important in the run-in."

With five games to go before the end of the regular season, the race for the two qualifying places in the West for the final rounds of the German Championships remain wide open. Schalke 04 (50 points) are the leaders going into the home straight. Borussia Dortmund (48) and the Werkself U19s (47) are on their heels.

Gladbach after the international break

Leverkusen face both rivals away from home. But first, after the winter break, the U19s have a home game on 2 April against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The kick-off at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium is at 11.00 CET. Entrance is free.

Match stats:

Wuppertaler SV U19: Broda - Benz, Serdar, Kim (Bogoiu 90’), Oberlies, Sindermann, Zupo (Schulte 83’), Muharremi, Mourtala, Cirillo (Pavlidis 90’), Topcu (Alabas 78’).

Bayer 04 U19: Klaas - Nesseler, Rhein, Harenbrock, Handwerker, Yalcin, Bednarczyk, Grym, Abu Hanna, Akkaynak, Schreck (Shala 64’).

Goals: 1-0 Cirillo (38’), 1-1 Handwerker (69’).

Booked: Zupo - Handwerker.

Referee: Erk (Herne).

Attendance: 120.