Raphael Guerreiro should be fit for Borussia Dortmund despite leaving Portugal team early

Raphael Guerreiro is heading back home after picking up a muscle injury on Portugal duty, but he should be fit for Borussia Dortmund’s game on Saturday.

Raphael Guerreiro returned to Dortmund after complaining of muscular problems while on international duty for Portugal. But Kicker report that his injury is not thought to be serious, and he should be available for Borussia Dortmund’s clash against Hertha Berlin this weekend. With nothing on the line for Portugal’s final UEFA Nations League game against Croatia, the left-back made the decision to leave the camp and work on returning to full fitness.

Borussia Dortmund fans can breathe a sigh of relief at the news as Guerreiro has been one of, if not the team’s best player in recent games. Playing Hertha Berlin away from home is always a tough game to begin with, and had Dortmund been missing Guerreiro, their task of breaking down their defence would have been all the harder. Hertha are sure to play a deep lying defensive structure and Guerreiro’s technical ability is absolutely crucial in trying to get in behind their back line.

Guerreiro is the second Borussia Dortmund player to return home early during the international break. Erling Haaland and Norway had a chaotic situation where they were refused to travel after a player in their squad tested positive for COVID-19. Haaland is now back in Dortmund, and should be available for the game against Hertha Berlin.

Despite Hertha’s poor start to the season, they are a very capable team. So not having Haaland and Guerreiro would have been a big blow for Borussia Dortmund.