Back
9.04.2017U19

Narrow defeat for U19s in top match

The U19s fought back from 1-0 down at Borussia Dortmund but ended up losing out in the battle for second place.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

A match decided by narrow margins was what U19 coach Markus von Ahlen expected ahead of the top match away to second-in-the-table Borussia Dortmund in the U19 Bundesliga West. And that's what happened.

In an intense and close game, the Werkself youngsters lost 2-1 away to BVB on matchday 23 thereby missing the chance to move up to second place and progress towards qualifying for the German Championship finals.

Dortmund strike

After the Leverkusen visitors looked the livelier of the two sides up front it was Borussia who were more effective as they exploited a mistake in the Bayer 04 defence following a free kick to open the scoring on 24 minutes.

"We were to reckless in defence in that situation and that gave the opponents an advantage," said coach Iraklis Metaxas. At the start of the second half, the coaches switched to a back three to allow more pressure up front.

Yalcin rewards effort

BVB remained energetic but Güven Yalcin was able to reward Leverkusen efforts when he equalised at 1-1 on 66 minutes with his twelfth goal of the season. Everything was open again in the race for one of the two qualifying places for the final rounds of the German U19 championship in the West – but not for long.

Just four minutes after equalising, the Leverkusen defence misjudged a long ball from Dortmund who exploited situation to go 2-1 up on 70 minutes. "The team tried everything right to the end and gave their all," said von Ahlen.

Clear chances to level

Yalcin had a huge chance to level just before the final whistle. However, after beating a number of opponents in the box he was kept out by the Borussia keeper.

The 2-1 win for Dortmund season take top spot from Schalke 04 who lost their home game against FC Köln 3-2. With three games to go Bayer 04 are three points behind Schalke and still in touch with a qualification spot – and the Werkself face the Royal Blues on the penultimate matchday.

Hürth in the cup

Before that there is the quarter-final of the Middle Rhine Cup on Wednesday against district league side FC Hürth (19.00 CET). "The first thing to focus on after such an intensive game is recovery but then we will approach the cup game in exactly the same way as in a Bundesliga top match," promised coach Metaxas."

Match stats:

Borussia Dortmund U19: Bansen - Schwermann, Binias, Kyeremateng (Bulut 88’), Amenyido, Laukart (Yilma 91’), Sechelmann, Kilian, Kopacz (Baxmann 76’), Schulte, Wanner (Lippert 80’).

Bayer 04 U19: Prinz - Nesseler, Rhein, Harenbrock (Popopvic 81’), Handwerker, Shala (Grym 46’), Yalcin, Bednarczyk, Abu Hanna (Osawe 52’), Akkaynak, Schreck.

Goals: 1-0 Binias (24’), 1-1 Yalcin (66’), 2-1 Kyeremateng (70’).

Booked: Binias - Shala.

Referee: Herbert (Nüsttal).

Attendance: 300.

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Bayer 04
Bayer 04 - 09.05.2025

Muchas gracias, Xabi!

The highly successful and mutually appreciated partnership between Bayer 04 and head coach Xabi Alonso ends after two and a half years. The 43-year-old Spaniard has led the Werkself to three trophies. Above all, winning the first German league title in the club's history will always be associated with the name of Xabi Alonso. The former world class player, who won many hearts in Leverkusen as a person, now says farewell to Bayer 04. We look back at a fantastic time with the Basque who fulfilled the biggest dream of all Bayer 04 fans together with an outstanding team.

Show more
BVB
Bundesliga - 09.05.2025

Our next opponents: On course for a happy ending

A few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
U19
U19 - 08.05.2025

‘Fans will give us an extra boost’: U19s host FC Bayern in semi-final tie

A cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.

Show more
Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo
Bayer 04 - 08.05.2025

A Bundesliga First: Bayer 04 to Open Football Academy in Brazil

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil. The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo," led by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sérgio, will be established on the Bayer Brazil campus in São Paulo and accommodate up to 300 children and youth ages 5 to 15.

Show more