Nuri Sahin confirmed that Borussia Dortmund will be without defender Niklas Sule for “several months” after he suffered an ankle injury against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Sule had missed eight games for Dortmund earlier this season due to a similar problem, and despite only just returning, he faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Sahin is injured again, with the BVB boss already missing players such as Waldemar Anton and Julian Brandt.
Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi are also both doubtful for Dortmund's upcoming Champions League match against Barcelona on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately not so good news,” Sahin told a press conference about Sule's injury. “He will be out for several months. He has suffered a serious injury.
“It's the same injury,” Sahin said. “It's a complete shame to get injured in the same place. It's very bitter because we needed him.”
“He (Sule) had a good game in Gladbach. It's a bit unlucky for him, but you can't change that.
“We have to let the diagnosis sink in. Tomorrow we will play the match and then we will see how we proceed with him.”
next: Els Blaugrana pic.twitter.com/1fJwhF7R9r
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) December 9, 2024
Dortmund welcome Barcelona to the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday, with the two teams level on points in the Champions League standings after five games.
Hansi Flick's side sit third, one place ahead of BVB on goal difference, with both sides knowing a win this week will be crucial to their hopes of finishing in the top eight.
But Sahin's side face a tough test against Barcelona, who are the tournament's top scorers so far with eighteen goals.
Furthermore, Barcelona are undefeated in their four games against Dortmund in Europe (W2 D2). Across all competitions, this is the most times they have played against an opponent in Europe without winning (four).
However, Dortmund have won four of their first five Champions League matches this season (L1), their best start since 2016/17 (also four wins in five).
It was only in 1997-98 that they managed to win five of their first six games in a season, but Sahin expects another tough test against the LaLiga leaders.
“Favorites against Barcelona?” Sahin said. “I don't think there will be any favorites tomorrow. It will be two teams of the same level and the form of the day will play a big role.”
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