Injury woes for Gregor Kobel as Dortmund prepare for Sturm Graz clash

By SABC Sport
5th November 2024

Gregor Kobel's injury has proven more complex than initially anticipated. The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper suffered a setback during the DFB-Pokal defeat against Wolfsburg last week.

The injury, resulting in his absence from the team's recent 2-1 victory over RB Leipzig.

Dortmund's head coach, Nuri Sahin, has confirmed ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match against Sturm Graz that Kobel has not yet received medical clearance to return to action. Alexander Meyer will step in once again as the starting goalkeeper.

Reports from Bild have indicated that Kobel's muscle injury has led to a haemorrhage, prompting the club's medical staff to exercise caution. They aim to prevent any potential complications, such as torn muscle fibres or more serious injuries.

If recovery progresses as planned, the Swiss international is expected to return for the Bundesliga fixture against Mainz on Saturday.

Dortmund face Sturm Graz at Signal Iduna Park with a depleted squad, having endured a string of injuries this season. Despite missing ten first-team players, the team managed to secure a much-needed victory against Leipzig, breaking a three-match losing streak.

Only young prospect Almugera Kabar is anticipated to make a comeback for the clash with Sturm Graz, according to Sahin's press conference.

With Kobel unlikely to be fit, Meyer will again guard the net. Waldemar Anton faces a "race against time" to be included in the squad.

Meanwhile, Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Giovanni Reyna, Niklas Sule, and Yan Couto remain sidelined.

On a positive note, Marcel Sabitzer, who sustained a knock against Leipzig, expressed optimism about his fitness, stating, "I'm already feeling better. I'm optimistic that I'll be fine tomorrow."

As for Sturm Graz, they have struggled in the Champions League, failing to secure a point from three matches against Brest, Club Brugge, and Sporting CP.

However, they lead the Austrian league, having drawn 1-1 with second-placed Rapid Vienna recently. They will be missing Alexander Borkovic, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, and Gregory Wuthrich for the trip to Dortmund.