Borussia Dortmund’s U19 juniors have to worry about reaching the round of 16 of the Youth League. BVB’s young players literally went under at AC Milan on Tuesday afternoon. Good from the black and yellow point of view: the gap to rival PSG has remained unchanged.
A bitter setback for BVB’s U19s: Instead of making the hoped-for entry into the round of 16 of the Youth League perfect, things remain exciting in Group F one match day before the end of the group phase. Coach Mike Tullberg’s team lost 4-1 at AC Milan, with all five goals scored before the half-time whistle.
Everything initially went according to plan for the Dortmund juniors. Talented striker Julian Rijkhoff took the early lead after just four minutes after an assist from Samuel Bamba. It was the young Dutchman’s fourth goal in the current competition.
BVB now has to survive against PSG
If they had won, BVB would have qualified early for the round of 16, as Paris Saint-Germain’s juniors lost 1-2 (0-1) at home to Newcastle United in the parallel game. However, the Rossoneri now secured their ticket to the round of 16, turning the game around before halftime with goals from Kevin Zeroli (23rd), Filippo Scotti (28th, 31st) and Diego Sia (39th).
With twelve points from five games, Milan is now unassailable first in the group, the Dortmund juniors are still one point ahead of PSG with seven points. Despite winning the first three points, Newcastle United have already been eliminated with four points.
On the last matchday, Borussia Dortmund will once again have their place in the knockout phase in their own hands when Paris Saint-Germain visits (December 13th, 4:00 p.m.). Last season, BVB’s U19s made it to the quarter-finals under coach Mike Tullberg. It only ended in a penalty shootout against the Croatian representatives Hajduk Split. Borussia had previously eliminated Paris Saint-Germain, among others, also in the round of 16.
Now it’s time for the big finale in the group, the Tullberg team won the first leg 1-0.