BVB Buzz
Fansided

Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Süle could miss VFB Stuttgart clash

By Brian Szlenk Straub

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Niklas Sule of Borussia Dortmund dribbles with the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Koln at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Niklas Sule of Borussia Dortmund dribbles with the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Koln at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Borussia Dortmund has been hit with another injury blow as center back Niklas Süle will possibly be unavailable against VFB Stuttgart.

When Borussia Dortmund turned the corner on the World Cup enforced winter break, the squad was, for the most part, a complete and healthy unit with the majority of the club’s players available for selection. Since then, a good number of the club’s critical players and have been sidelined through injury, to absolutely no one’s surprise. The injury curse continues to haunt Dortmund, with defender Niklas Süle now in danger of being sidelined for the the game against VFB Stuttgart due to muscular problems.

This injury will put further burden on what is already a beleaguered defense. Nico Schlotterbeck, albeit being sighted training with the ball, is likely still sidelined for the remainder of April at least. This leaves veteran center back Mats Hummels to partner Emre Can or Julian Ryerson at the heart of Dortmund’s back four. These injuries could not come at a more dire time for the club, as they are currently chasing Bayern Munich in a title race that currently requires all hands on deck and impeccable performances to have a hope of overtaking the Bavarian club.

Next. Does Donyell Malen’s recent form warrant optimism for his future at Borussia Dortmund?. dark

Dortmund’s current situation begs the question as to whether or not investment at center back is needed once the summer transfer window opens. The main pairing of the future indeed seems to be Süle and Schlotterbeck, and with Hummels not getting any younger, an additional central defender could help in future situations that won’t make players like Can play out of position. Can has shown the ability to play center back but his general aggression makes him a potential liability in terms of giving away fouls from dangerous positions. The hope will be that Dortmund’s makeshift back-line can hold it together long enough for Dortmund’s defenders to be able to return and retain their place in the starting 11.