Borussia Dortmund hopeful of having Emre Can back for Bundesliga opener

Borussia Dortmund are hopeful of having Emre Can back in the squad for next weekend’s Bundesliga opener against Eintracht Frankfurt. But the game will likely come too soon for Mats Hummels and Raphael Guerreiro. 

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over third division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Saturday. But a much tougher test lies ahead next weekend, as BVB begin their Bundesliga campaign at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Black and Yellows’ injury situation is only expected to ease slightly ahead of the game.

Sebastian Kehl confirmed to Kicker on Sunday that Emre Can will be able to increase his intensity in training in the coming week. But it still remains to be seen whether he will be fit in time for Saturday’s clash.

"“Emre Can is much further along than Raphael Guerreiro. He will be able to increase the intensity in the coming week. We’ll have to wait and see if he has enough time before Saturday.”"

While Can could be in the squad next weekend, Mats Hummels (patellar tendon) and Raphael Guerreiro (calf) are both likely to miss the game. Julian Brandt and Thomas Meunier will also be absent after testing positive for COVID-19. Dan-Axel Zagadou, Soumaila Coulibaly, Nnamdi Collins, Marius Wolf and Mateu Morey also remain out with their respective injuries.

Borussia Dortmund will also look to get the rest of their Euro 2020 participants back to full fitness in the coming week. Manuel Akanji, Jude Bellingham, Axel Witsel, Donyell Malen, Thorgan Hazard and Thomas Delaney all featured during the win over SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday. And they will all be aiming to return to full fitness soon.