Academy set for Dusseldorf tournament
Our Academy players have the chance to test themselves against a host of top European clubs at a tournament in Germany this weekend.
The lads are jetting out to Dusseldorf to take part in the Under-19 Champions Trophy, where they’ll face opponents such as VfL Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb – in addition to hometown club B.V. 04 Dusseldorf.
Academy Manager John McDermott knows the trip will be a tough test for our lads, but he insists everyone is looking forward to the challenge.
“We’re taking a group of players who are on a good run of form,” John said. “In terms of intense competition, this is likely to be the most difficult weekend we’ve had for four or five months.
“Our boys will be playing against different styles and different types of players, and we’ve got two games a day so it’s a mental test as well as a technical, tactical and physical challenge.
“This is one of the stellar events of our season we’re really looking forward to it.”
The lads face Dusseldorf at 11.30am UK time and Wolfsburg at 4pm UK time on Saturday, before playing matches on Sunday against Bayer Leverkusen (11am UK time) and Dinamo Zagreb (5.30pm UK time).
We are in Group Two, while Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, Red Bull Salzburg, Japan Highschool Selection and Fortuna Dusseldorf will contest Group One.