Bitter news for defender Jeremiah St. Juste, but other Mainz personnel are developing positively
Jeremiah St. Juste was not expected to play for BVB on Saturday anyway, after the defender dislocated his right shoulder in the game against Union Berlin (1-2) a fortnight ago. In the meantime, it is certain that the 24-year-old Dutchman will have to undergo surgery, which could mean that the first half of the season is over for him.
Coach Bo Svensson, however, did not want to commit himself to a concrete prognosis on Thursday: “I can’t say anything yet about the place and time of the operation and the time he will be out of action,” explained the football coach. “But there is no question that it is a serious loss for us. Not only because of his footballing qualities and his speed. Jeremiah is also a personality with leadership qualities. We will miss his whole package. “
Szalai surprisingly already wildcard option?
St. Juste will probably be replaced by David Nemeth at the weekend, but Alexander Hack is also available again after recovering from a Corona infection and, according to Svensson, would “at least theoretically” be ready for a start. Objectively speaking, however, Hack is likely to be on the bench for the time being in view of his lack of training. Meanwhile, captain Moussa Niakhaté is expected back in the team after his thigh injury.
“Moussa has been able to train for the last two weeks,” confirmed Svensson. The football coach also hinted that striker Adam Szalai could be a wild card option again unexpectedly soon after his meniscus operation: “It’s been three weeks since his injury. But Adam ticks differently than others, he wants it badly. His development is definitely very positive, he already looked good in training. “
