Donyell Malen absent from Borussia Dortmund training ahead of Stuttgart clash

Borussia Dortmund will likely have to do without Donyell Malen for their Bundesliga clash against Stuttgart on Saturday. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, the Dutchman continues to suffer from thigh problems picked up on international duty and with five games in 16 days, BVB don’t want to take any unnecessary risk with the attacker.

That means Karim Adeyemi will retain his place in the starting lineup with the German forward in excellent form. With three goals in his last four Bundesliga games, Adeyemi is finally finding his form after only opening his goalscoring account in the Bundesliga last month.

Gregor Kobel and Marcel Sabitzer return for Borussia Dortmund

While the loss of Malen is a blow for Borussia Dortmund as they look to strengthen their grip on fourth, there is some good news with the return of Gregor Kobel in goal, while Marcel Sabitzer also returns from suspension.

Dortmund sit three points clear of RB Leipzig in fourth, the final Champions League spot, but they face a busy April. They host third-placed Stuttgart at the Signal Iduna Park with Bundesliga games against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen to follow. Not only that, their game against Gladbach is sandwiched between games against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, meaning Dortmund will play five games in 16 days.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, Mats Hummels said that April will be “one of the hardest months” of his career, given the club’s schedule.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder

Get Football+

More European Football News