Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel will miss Saturday’s game at Union Berlin after tearing a thigh muscle, the Bundesliga leaders said on Thursday.
“Yesterday evening the club received a diagnosis on the injury suffered by Axel Witsel. Unfortunately Axel has torn a muscle in the adductor area,” Dortmund said in a statement.
The club didn’t confirm how long the 30-year-old Belgian international would be out of action.
Dortmund will be hoping the Belgian will be fit in time for their first Champions League group-stage match against Barcelona on September 17.
Witsel joined Dortmund from China’s Tianjin Quanjian last year after impressing at the World Cup in Russia.
He has since been pivotal for his side, missing just one Bundesliga game since the start of last season.
Witsel is likely to be replaced by Julian Brandt, who shone from the bench in the 3-1 win over Cologne a week ago.
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Liga MX & Copa Libertadores
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, NWSL, & USL
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $7.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & EFL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $7.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season