When will Erling Haaland (21) finally come back?
36 days ago, the BVB superstar (80 goals in 79 games) tore a muscle fiber in his thigh during the 3-2 win in Hoffenheim.
Dortmund had initially hoped for another lightning comeback from the TORweger. He’s been missing for more than five weeks now…
Because: The Haaland injury is more persistent than expected.
Coach Marco Rose (45) said on Saturday when asked by BILD: “Now someone has seen Erling on the training ground and thinks he’s close and there. But of course we know how things really are with him.”
The fact is: Not as good as hoped.
Haaland took part in the reservist training on Monday last week. He also put on another sprint. But he always played a special role, was the neutral man in games to avoid duels. Even in the days that followed, he worked on the pitch.
Rose: “Erling still has some problems. He just doesn’t feel free. He still doesn’t feel clear about his movements.”
And further in plain language: “It is a diffuse story. We don’t want to run into something new again – neither does he. We don’t want to gamble with his health. To be honest, I have to say that it may take a few more days.”
BILD knows: Haaland still can’t sprint properly and continues to have problems with the shot. That’s why he wasn’t there in Augsburg – and the Norwegian is also threatened with being eliminated next Sunday against Mainz (3.30 p.m.). The insert wobbles.
Neither side wants to risk anything. Haaland had already missed 34 days in October and November with hip flexor problems. A third injury could mean the end of the season.
Haaland only wants to be 100 percent fully operational and resilient again when he’s back on the pitch.
On February 4, Haaland had apparently still hoped for a faster comeback himself. On Instagram he posted the words: “Can you hear it? It sounds like I’ll be back soon.” He even had his faith healer and special therapist John Haddad flown in from Lebanon in consultation with the club (BILD reported). However, the return did not go as smoothly as hoped.
Now the next goal is to be back in the home game against Bielefeld in two weeks.
► Also bitter: The diagnosis at Thomas Miller (30) is here. The Belgian was injured in Glasgow in first-half injury time. He tore a tendon on the back of his thigh and will be out until May.
