The loss against RB Leipzig was already bad, but to make matters worse, Marcel Sabitzer was forced off after the first half hour, having been on the wrong end of an awkward collision, apparently injuring his knee. Based on the Austrian’s reaction at the time, and how he hobbled off the pitch with assistance from the trainers, fans were left fearing the worst.
Thankfully, Sabitzer’s injury does not seem to be severe, but renowned journalist, Patrick Berger reports the Austrian is set to undergo rehabilitation training over the next four weeks. While this doesn’t mean the end of Marcel Sabitzer’s season, it does mean he will likely miss both legs of Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal against Barcelona, as well as crucial Bundesliga clashes with Mainz and Bayern Munich. This also rules him out of Austria’s upcoming Nation’s LEague matches.
Despite an underwhelming season personally, Marcel Sabitzer has become an important piece of Niko Kovac’s system, having started nine out of ten matches, and substituted in one under the new coach. Sabitzer has made twenty-three appearances this season without scoring or assisting.
While Dortmund were sent home from Leipzig licking their wounds, BVB does now have an international break to regroup and prepare for a tough series of fixtures. One silver lining in Sabitzer’s injury, is that Felix Nmecha is expected to return following the international break.
Borussia Dortmund have won just two of their first six Bundesliga fixtures under Niko Kovač, and the prospect of the Black and Yellows qualifying for Europe is growing slimmer every day. Could this mean the Croatian manager will see the exit door as soon as this summer?
