Breel Embolo injury adds to Gladbach roster woes
Swiss manager Vladamir Petkovic confirmed that the Gladbach centre-forward has a swollen ankle. Prospects for a bright start to the season seem to be diminishing for Marco Rose, Rene Maric & Co.
| Breel Embolo. | Photo: Borussia Mönchengladbach |
Worrying scenes for Borussia Möchengladbach head-coach Marco Rose transpired in the 70th minute. Two of his players were involved in a very physical duel. Germany’s Matthias Ginter caught teammate Breel Embolo on the left angle on a follow through challenge that could be described as late, but not particularly malicious. A hobbling Embolo immediately had to leave the field of play.
Petkovic confirmed after the pitch that the injury had some serious manifestations. “The ankle is now swollen,” Petkovic revealed, adding that Embolo had encountered a similar problem in the weekly training sessions. No longer-term assessments were divulged.
Rose’s “fantastische Fohlen” will already enter the 2020/21 campaign with their fair share of injury woes. Attackers Alassane Plea and Markus Thuram are still not yet fully fit heading into the season. Defensive midfilder Denis Zakaria, also a Swiss international, may be out for far longer as he continues to recuperate from major knee surgery.
Gladbach will have a full schedule following their qualification last Spring for the UEFA Champion’s league. Moreover, fans will certainly hold both Rose and his famous tactical guru Rene Maric to very high standards after an electrifying start last season saw them top the Bundesliga table through 15 rounds.
Rose and Maric have bolstered their attack over the offseason through the acquistions of Valentino Lazaro (Inter-Milan) and Hannes Wolf (RB Leipzig). The former, however, currently sits on the long list of players struggling with injury. A strong start for the foals looks to be a tall order.