Borussia Dortmund face uncertainties regarding personnel ahead of VFL Bochum clash
Ahead of a game thats become known as the "little Revierderby", Borussia Dortmund are set to take on local rivals Bochum with some notable absentees in the squad. Both Julian Brandt and Gregor Kobel seem likely to miss the game per the information provided by Edin Terzić in the press conference before the match.
Dortmund's head coach labeled both Kobel and Brandt as "definitive question marks" for the game, which raises some concerns for the already injury-riddled club. The reason for their absence is due to illness.
On the bright side however, Terzić did note that long term absentees Karim Adeyemi and Julian Ryerson seem poised to make their return soon:
"Julian Ryerson and Karim Adeyemi are the furthest along and have already been able to work intensively. We assume that they will be able to return to training next week."
- Edin Terzić
This will be a boost for Dortmund, particuarly in the defensive positions as Ryerson was one of the club's strongest performers prior to his inner ligament injury back in December. Adeyemi for his part will face tough competition for minutes as both Donyell Malen and Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho are both currently in fine form.
The biggest miss for the club, undeinably, will be Kobel. While Brandt has certainly been one of Dortmund's most creative sparks this season, the attack is currently flush with players that are able to do a job against Bochum. Kobel on the other hand has single handedly saved Dortmund points in numerous games, often pulling off miraculous saves to ensure that his side come away with something.
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The games against Bochum, especially as of recent, have been tough for Dortmund. They've often ended up as stumbling blocks for the club. The goal for the team will be to take this game as seriosuly as their opponents do and take away all three points despite the critical players that they will be missing. The season as a whole demands it so that they continue to push themselves back into the upper echelons of the table.