Borussia Dortmund could be without top goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when they travel to face Augsburg at the WWK Arena on Sunday.
The Gabon international has had an outstanding season for Thomas Tuchel’s side, scoring 35 goals in all competitions (including Europa League qualifiers) thus far this season. Aubameyang also found himself on the score-sheet in the German side’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
However, the Dortmund manager confirmed in Saturday’s press conference that the 26-year-old could miss the game due to family reasons. It is understood that the striker’s grandfather passed away, and Tuchel revealed that Aubameyang would be given the full freedom to choose whether or not he wants to feature on Sunday.
The 42-year-old is quoted by the official club website as saying, “The family comes first. Auba will determine when he comes back. It is still completely open whether he will be with us tomorrow or not.”
Sokratis thigh issue could force defensive reshuffle
Centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos was substituted in the second half in Dortmund’s win against Tottenham on Thursday with muscle problems in his thigh. However, Tuchel confirmed that the Greece international had recovered and would be available for selection.
“As it stands now we are convinced that we substituted him just at the right time,” said Tuchel.
However, with Dortmund still in contention for the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the Europa League, the former Mainz manager could opt not to risk Sokratis, with Neven Subotić available to partner Mats Hummels at the heart of Die Borussen‘s defence.
Meanwhile, midfielder İlkay Gündoğan is also not fully match fit and is unlikely to start the game on Sunday, meaning former Real Madrid man Nuri Şahin could get the opportunity to impress from the start.
Borussia Dortmund could be without top goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when they travel to face Augsburg at the WWK Arena on Sunday.
The Gabon international has had an outstanding season for Thomas Tuchel’s side, scoring 35 goals in all competitions (including Europa League qualifiers) thus far this season. Aubameyang also found himself on the score-sheet in the German side’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
However, the Dortmund manager confirmed in Saturday’s press conference that the 26-year-old could miss the game due to family reasons. It is understood that the striker’s grandfather passed away, and Tuchel revealed that Aubameyang would be given the full freedom to choose whether or not he wants to feature on Sunday.
The 42-year-old is quoted by the official club website as saying, “The family comes first. Auba will determine when he comes back. It is still completely open whether he will be with us tomorrow or not.”
Sokratis thigh issue could force defensive reshuffle
Centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos was substituted in the second half in Dortmund’s win against Tottenham on Thursday with muscle problems in his thigh. However, Tuchel confirmed that the Greece international had recovered and would be available for selection.
“As it stands now we are convinced that we substituted him just at the right time,” said Tuchel.
However, with Dortmund still in contention for the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the Europa League, the former Mainz manager could opt not to risk Sokratis, with Neven Subotić available to partner Mats Hummels at the heart of Die Borussen‘s defence.
Meanwhile, midfielder İlkay Gündoğan is also not fully match fit and is unlikely to start the game on Sunday, meaning former Real Madrid man Nuri Şahin could get the opportunity to impress from the start.