Injured Karim Adeyemi set to miss Bundesliga start

 Borussia Dortmund will have to make do without top striker Karim Adeyemi for their DFB-Pokal first-round tie against TSV Schott Mainz this weekend.

The 2023/24 season is about to get underway this weekend, and Borussia Dortmund will go up against TSV Schott Mainz in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

The Black and Yellows have a number of injury concerns ahead of the game. And according to Patrick Berger, Karim Adeyemi will miss the trip to Mainz due to muscular problems.

Adeyemi picked up a muscle injury ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s pre-season friendly against Ajax on Sunday. The club hasn’t yet given an exact diagnosis, and the hope will be that he can return to full fitness in time for next weekend’s Bundesliga matchday one clash against FC Köln.

Marco Reus replaced Adeyemi in the starting XI against Ajax, and will likely start again on Saturday.

Youssoufa Moukoko, Thorgan Hazard, and Samuel Bamba are the other available attacking options in the BVB squad.

Felix Nmecha could also be in contention to start, and Julian Brandt would then move into a more attacking role.

The report adds that a decision on the availability of Gregor Kobel and Nico Schlotterbeck will be made at short notice. But the defensive duo is unlikely to feature on Saturday, as Borussia Dortmund will not want to take any risks over their fitness.

Gio Reyna, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Julien Duranville, and Thomas Meunier are also expected to miss the DFB-Pokal first-round tie. The Belgian duo will be sidelined for several weeks due to muscular injuries.