LIVERPOOL, England – Borussia Dortmund’s youth squad is preparing for a challenging quarterfinal matchup against Everton in the Premier League International Cup, and they’re doing so with a somewhat unconventional approach: incorporating coaching strategies borrowed from the National Football League. The Black and Yellows, fielding a team comprised of players from their U19 and U23 squads, are looking to advance in a tournament designed to pit the best young talent from England against Europe’s rising stars.
The competition, which features the top U21 teams in England alongside promising European prospects, has already seen Borussia Dortmund impress. They topped their group with three wins against Leeds United (3-0), West Ham United (2-1), and Sunderland (3-1), suffering only a single defeat against Manchester United (0-2). This performance makes Dortmund the sole remaining German representative in the knockout stages.
The quarterfinal clash will take place at Walton Hall Park in Liverpool on Wednesday, March 18th, at 7:00 PM local time (8:00 PM Central European Time), and will be broadcast live on BVB-TV. For the Dortmund players, this represents both a reward for their strong group stage performance and a significant challenge, according to coach Daniel Rios.
“For the players, it’s a mix of reward and adventure,” Rios said. “Knockout games have their own character – especially away from home. The chances stand at 50/50. It will be decisive who acts more courageously.”
The adoption of coaching techniques from the NFL is a notable aspect of Dortmund’s preparation. While details remain somewhat scarce, the club is clearly looking to gain an edge by analyzing strategies employed in American football. This isn’t a completely new phenomenon; in November 2025, Borussia Dortmund and the Pittsburgh Steelers announced a partnership that extended beyond simple jersey swaps, suggesting a deeper exchange of ideas, and methodologies. Details of that partnership indicate a broader trend of cross-sport collaboration.
The squad traveling from Düsseldorf includes a mix of U19 and U23 players, meaning a relatively short preparation period with just two training sessions on Monday and Tuesday. A key boost for Dortmund is the return of midfielder Mussa Kaba to the squad. Though, they will be without Taycan Etcibasi, who led the team in scoring during the tournament with three goals, and Samuele Inacio, Mathis Albert, Thierry Tazemeta, and Romeo Ritter, who have all featured in every game so far.
Everton, Dortmund’s opponent, is expected to take a pragmatic approach to the match. The club is likely prioritizing a solid defensive structure and capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities, a common tactic in cup competitions. This contrasts with Dortmund’s typically attacking style, potentially setting up an intriguing tactical battle.
The Premier League International Cup provides a valuable platform for young players to gain experience against high-level competition. For Borussia Dortmund, it’s an opportunity to showcase the talent emerging from their youth academy and test new strategies, including those inspired by the NFL. The match against Everton represents a significant step forward in their development, and a chance to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
The integration of NFL strategies into a soccer environment is a fascinating development. While the specific tactics remain undisclosed, it suggests Dortmund is exploring innovative ways to improve their game, potentially focusing on areas like player positioning, set-piece execution, or game management. It’s a testament to the club’s willingness to look beyond traditional soccer methods in pursuit of a competitive advantage.
Following the quarterfinal match against Everton, the winner will advance to the semi-finals of the Premier League International Cup. The schedule for the semi-finals has not yet been announced, but updates will be available on BVB-TV and the club’s official website. Dortmund fans will be keenly watching to see if this new tactical approach, inspired by the NFL, can propel their young stars to further success.
What are your thoughts on Dortmund’s innovative approach? Share your predictions for the match against Everton in the comments below!
,webp/029/647/591/1280x720.17788765.jpg)
