Donyell Malen will also not feature for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. The 25-year-old forward, who has already scored thirteen goals in all competitions this season, will stay behind in Germany as he has not recovered in time from his thigh injury, and according to Technical Director Sebastian Kehl, he is also a bit ill.
Embed from Getty Images
Donyell Malen's absence from Borussia Dortmund's lineup adds to the team's challenges as they prepare for the crucial first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Atlético Madrid.
Malen, who has been a key player for Dortmund this season, had previously missed important Bundesliga matches against Bayern Munich, where Dortmund secured a 2-0 victory, and VfB Stuttgart, where they faced a narrow 0-1 defeat. These absences followed an injury Malen sustained during a friendly international match against Germany at the end of March, which has sidelined him due to its severity. Coach Edin Terzic finds his options limited as he cannot count on the Dutch forward for the upcoming match in Madrid, underscoring the impact of injuries on Dortmund's campaign.
The situation for Dutch players in the Champions League quarterfinals is similarly grim across other clubs. Memphis Depay's unavailability for the Madrid side has been confirmed, leaving Ian Maatsen as the lone Dutch presence for the German side in the upcoming Madrid clash. This situation is a disappointment for Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman, who will see a limited number of his internationals participating in a critical stage of the Champions League.
Manchester City's Dutch defender, Nathan Aké, will also be absent in their match against Real Madrid, further reducing the Dutch footprint in the quarterfinals. This trend of injuries among Dutch internationals continues with Jurriën Timber, who is currently recuperating from a severe knee injury and thus unable to contribute to his team's efforts in the Champions League.
Matthijs de Ligt stands as the sole beacon of hope among Dutch internationals, being the only one fit enough to take part in the upcoming match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening. This situation highlights the challenges faced by Dutch players in maintaining fitness and contributing to their respective teams' ambitions in European competition.
In contrast, Barcelona brings a glimmer of positive news amidst the injury woes, with Frenkie de Jong potentially making his comeback in the crucial away game against Paris Saint-Germain. This potential return is a much-needed boost for Barcelona and for Dutch football, providing hope that De Jong can influence the outcome in a pivotal match for his club. As the Champions League quarterfinals unfold, the fitness and availability of key players will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the progression of the remaining teams in the tournament.
