Nuri Sahin Announces Niklas Sule's Extended Absence Ahead of Barcelona Clash

Borussia Dortmund's head coach, Nuri Sahin, has delivered concerning news regarding the team's defensive lineup. In a pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League fixture against Barcelona, Sahin confirmed that central defender Niklas Sule will be unavailable for several months due to a serious injury.

Sahin stated, "Sule will be absent for several months, unfortunately suffering from a severe injury." He elaborated that this setback is related to a previous injury Sule had endured, expressing the team's disappointment: "It's truly disheartening when a player suffers a recurrence of an old injury. We were in great need of his presence."

The injury occurred during Dortmund's recent match against Borussia Monchengladbach, where Sule fell awkwardly after a cross, clutching his right ankle. He was substituted in the 84th minute with the score tied at 1-1. Sule had previously missed six weeks due to a ligament tear but had returned to action in the match against Bayern Munich, showcasing a commendable performance.

Regarding treatment options and the possibility of surgery, Sahin mentioned, "We need to assess the situation. I spoke with Niko last night, and he was very upset. After the Barcelona match, we will have time to make a decision. The reality is that this process will be time-consuming."

In addition to Sule's absence, defender Waldemar Anton remains sidelined with a muscle tear, limiting Dortmund's defensive options. Captain Emre Can is expected to partner with Nico Schlotterbeck in central defense, as even the young and inexperienced Filippo Mane is unavailable.

Midfielder Julian Brandt will also miss the Barcelona match due to a minor knock, while Karim Adeyemi has resumed training, with his potential involvement to be evaluated.

Discussing the upcoming challenge against Barcelona, Sahin noted, "We must consider all of Barcelona's strengths; their high defensive line with strong pressing is a key characteristic. Barcelona boasts great players like Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and my personal favorite, Frenkie de Jong."

Assessing his team's chances, Sahin added, "I don't think either team has a greater chance of winning tomorrow. We are both playing at a high level, and of course, we can win the game. But so can Barcelona. It depends on how both teams approach the game and how it unfolds."