Will Erling Haaland make his comeback in the match against Mainz? This question will only be answered in the short term. As with Manuel Akanji, Thomas Meunier and Thorgan Hazard, there is still a question mark over the Norwegian’s use. A trio, on the other hand, is certain to miss out.
There was some help to be had on Thursday when BVB coach Marco Rose was asked to give the latest update on the injured list in the press conference ahead of the Bundesliga match against Mainz. However, it was also a long list of names that the 45-year-old must have had in mind. And Rose was not able to give a positive answer for every one of the professionals in question.
Moukoko, Guerreiro and Dahoud are certainly missing
Youssoufa Moukoko, Raphael Guerreiro (both fibre tear) and also Mahmoud Dahoud (knee ligament strain) are certain to be out on Saturday. For four other professionals, the final decision has not yet been made. For Manuel Akanji, Thomas Meunier, Thorgan Hazard and Erling Haaland, for example, time will ultimately decide whether they can play against FSV or only return to the pitch next Tuesday for the Champions League match in Amsterdam.
“Erling is in some kind of integrative training, so we’ll have to see how it turns out,” said Rose, who promised “we’ll try everything”. Haaland is also aiming for a return, but there is no intention to rush things with the BVB’s exceptional striker: “Of course it is important that Erling comes back. He gives us something, he scores goals, he is an important factor,” said Rose. “But we were able to absorb his absence. We won a Bundesliga game and a Champions League game without him.” It is still completely open whether Haaland will start, sit on the bench for the time being as a potential wild card or sit out completely once again.
“Erling is in some kind of integrative training, we’ll have to see how it turns out. “
MARCO ROSE
Wait and see with Hazard and Akanji
Better prognosis for Hazard (ankle problems) and Akanji (adductor ailments), who both returned early from their national teams but were able to train on Wednesday. However, it is still necessary to wait and see how their bodies react to the new strain. It also remains to be seen how Thomas Meunier will fare until the weekend. “Thomas still has major problems with his toe and had to wait for training during the week,” said Rose, who was cautiously optimistic about the overall personnel situation: “We still have a few question marks, but we’ll try to make a lot of exclamation marks out of it towards Saturday.
Hummels not fully fit, but the defensive chief is available
It is certain, however, that defensive chief Mats Hummels will be available – even if he continues to struggle with knee problems. “We all see that Mats is not yet at 100 per cent,” Rose said on Thursday, “and we all wish that this is the case again soon. Above all, we wish that he is pain-free quickly.” Because that is the factor that limits him, he said. “He needs the ability to make any movement without pain. He is working on that very diligently.” Rose admitted that rest, above all, would be conducive to progress, “but we don’t have that”. Especially not in view of the numerous other injury worries BVB have to contend with these weeks.
“He needs the ability to make every movement without pain. He’s working on that very diligently. “
MARCO ROSE
After all, with a long-term injury, a return to match action is foreseeable soon: Defender Dan-Axel Zagadou – who could deputise for Hummels at left centre-back – has been back in team training for a week after overcoming a knee injury and is working towards being an option again soon. “I’m really looking forward to this day,” Rose said. Because everything I could see from him so far is really good.” First, however, the Frenchman, who has often had to take long breaks in the past, will need to get stability.
Morey “is going step by step – and that’s very positive “
Progress is also being made by right-back Mateu Morey, who suffered a serious knee injury at the beginning of May. The Spaniard is in loose running training, but still has a very long way to go – though the 21-year-old is approaching it full of optimism. “I met Mateu this morning. He was sweaty and hard at work in the gym,” Rose reported on Thursday, “he’s going step by step – and that’s very positive. “