Three players return to squad as U23s travel to Ingolstadt | OneFootball

It isn't just the Borussia Dortmund first team that have a clash with a team from Bavaria on Saturday: the U23s are in action away to FC Ingolstadt. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 CET.

After facing SV Sandhausen last weekend, Jan Zimmermann's team now prepare to go toe-to-toe with another heavyweight opponent with Bundesliga 2 experience. Ingolstadt spent many years in the second tier and even played in the Bundesliga from 2015 to 2017. However, they dropped down to the 3. Liga in 2022.

Saturday's hosts finished in 11th place last season. BVB's Justin Butler spent the campaign in Ingolstadt, where he made 29 appearances and scored two goals before switching to the Dortmund U23s in the summer. He will miss the reunion with his former club on Saturday due to injury.

With 17 points from 13 games so far, FCI currently trail BVB in the table and the odds of achieving promotion back up to the Bundesliga 2 look slim. "They have an experienced, strong and well-organised team," said Jan Zimmermann as he described the upcoming opponents, adding: "I expect a very close game."

His charges have recently played "two really good games" (Zimmermann), although they were only able to win the one against Mannheim (3-1) and suffered an unfortunate defeat at home to Sandhausen (2-1). "We lacked precision up front," said the coach as he rued several missed opportunities to secure an equaliser. However, Zimmermann was keen to stress that his team's poor finishing was primarily down to rustiness. As such, the Black & Yellow coach has emphasised to his players the philosophy of "practice makes perfect" going into this game.

The return of Antonios Papadopoulos and Rodney Elongo-Yombo from suspension will bolster BVB's matchday squad. Patrick Göbel is also available again after recovering from an eye injury. Daniel Mertens