Absence before CL hit

Long-standing player missing for Dortmund against Atlético Madrid

Edin Terzić will have to do without Donyell Malen in Madrid.(Bild: APA/AFP/INA FASSBENDER)

Borussia Dortmund boarded the plane to Madrid on Tuesday without Donyell Malen. The winger will miss the Bundesliga club's match against Atlético Madrid due to a thigh injury. 

The Dutchman was already absent against FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart, but there was not enough time before the Champions League match against the Spaniards, especially as Malen also fell ill. "Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for him. He has also become infectious in the last few days," the German newspaper "Bild" quoted Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl as saying.

Terzić must therefore do without an important offensive force. Malen has made 33 appearances in 39 competitive matches this year, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists.

Last chance to win the title
After being knocked out of the DFB Cup and trailing league leaders Leverkusen by an unassailable margin, the Champions League remains Dortmund's last chance to win a title. However, BVB must first beat Atlético in the quarter-finals - without Malen for the time being ...