U19s set for "final" showdown with PSG after 4-1 loss to Milan | OneFootball

Borussia's U19s have lost their away game against AC Milan 4-1. But the Black & Yellow youngsters are still ideally placed to qualify for the UEFA Youth League play-offs for the third time in a row.

Mike Tullberg's charges need a draw in their final group game against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday 13 December (16:00 CET) if they are to stay in Europe's premier junior club competition over the winter and progress to the round of 16 via a play-off against a representative of the "Champions Path".

The French team surprisingly lost their home game against Newcastle United 2-1 and remain in third position (six points) behind AC Milan, who are already confirmed as the group winners with 12 points, and BVB (seven points).

In addition to the injured Filippo Mane and the World Cup participants Paris Brunner, Charles Herrmann and Almugera Kabar, Mike Tullberg was also without Hendry Blank. The defender was called up to the first-team squad at late notice and was therefore not available for the U19s. That led to Nico Adamczyk making his UEFA Youth League debut and starting in central defence alongside Leonardo Posadas in the first period, with Tyler Meiser replacing him in the second half. Abdoulaye Kamara came into the team from the U23s and bolstered the defensive midfield.

The Dortmund lads defied all the odds at the outset and surprisingly took the lead: Samuel Bamba broke through down the left flank in the fourth minute and crossed the ball towards Julian Rijkhoff, who headed it perfectly into the net. It was the ideal start. And Cole Campbell could have completed the lightning start a short while later. But Milan quickly rallied and took decisive control of the match in the 15th minute.

Milan take the lead

Robin Lisewski initially shone with a brilliant save to keep out Kevin Zeroli, but then he and the players in front of him made mistakes that were punished by Milan. "We implemented our plan brilliantly in the opening 20 minutes and then gave the game away because we made bad decisions at the back. That cannot happen at this level," was Mike Tullberg's verdict.

Lisewski's underhit clearance led to Zeroli equalising at 1-1 (23). A cross from Clinton Nsiala-Makengo, who was allowed to cross unchallenged by Bamba, was punched by Lisewski straight to the feet of Filippo Scotti, who took advantage of the gift and made it 2-1 (28). Shortly afterwards Scotti made it 3-1 (31), with the unmarked Diego Sia upping the lead to 4-1 before the break (39).

The Black & Yellows put in a decent performance in the second half and kept the game open, but without causing their opponents any serious problems. Mike Tullberg made full use of his substitution quota in the closing stages. Ousmane Diallo managed to stake a claim for future appearances with two or three fine dribbling runs.

Tullberg: "We have it in our own hands"

After the final whistle, the good news filtered through from the French capital. "We have everything in our own hands. If someone had told me that before the start of the UEFA Youth League, I would've immediately taken it. It's a knockout game against Paris, I like those matches. We'll come up with a good plan and I'm sure we'll progress," said an optimistic Mike Tullberg.

Prior to the big group finale against PSG, BVB will play their opening match of the second half of the Bundesliga season against Bayer Leverkusen's top team (Saturday 9 December, 11:00 CET).

U19s: Lisewski – Rashidi (Onofrietti, 65), Adamczyk (Meiser, 46), Posadas, Korzynietz – Lubach (Krevsun, 65), Kamara, Wätjen – Campbell (Diallo, 65), Rijkhoff (König, 72), Bamba(wiwi)