Borussia Mönchengladbach had to make two early changes in Mainz due to injury – and are now worried about Nico Elvedi and Breel Embolo.
It was not even half an hour played in Mainz then Gladbach coach Adi Hütter had already changed twice on Friday evening. Nico Elvedi and Breel Embolo were injured early in the kick-off of the 11th Bundesliga matchday.
Elvedi had crossed Karim Onisiwo’s running path on a Mainz slant pass in the 19th minute and immediately signalled pain in his right ankle. After a lengthy break for treatment, Borussia’s centre-back limped off the pitch and also saw a yellow card on the way for his foul on Onisiwo. He returned, but was eventually replaced by Florian Neuhaus (28th). Denis Zakaria moved back into the three-man backline in his place.
Elvedi probably injured his lateral ligament – “Only something muscular” in Embolo?
Seconds later, Embolo grabbed his right rear thigh and also had to be substituted. Marcus Thuram came on for the Bayern shocker, who had only been out earlier in the season with a thigh injury.
Like Elvedi, Embolo was also called up to the Swiss national team squad this week for the upcoming final spurt in World Cup qualifying. It remains to be seen whether the duo will be able to accept the invitation or whether they will be out for a longer period of time. Elvedi, who appeared on the bench with crutches in the second half, is suspected to have an external ligament injury. In Embolo’s case, Hütter hopes it is “just something muscular”.