Bundesliga Faces Key Player Injuries as Robert Glatzel and Niklas Süle Head into Extended Absences

Hamburger SV and Borussia Dortmund are grappling with significant injuries to crucial players as December begins, affecting their lineups for important upcoming matches.

Robert Glatzel of Hamburger SV suffered a muscle tear in his thigh during the 2-1 victory against Stuttgart where he scored his first Bundesliga goal for Hamburg. The injury, diagnosed after medical examinations at the club's new medical center, will sideline him until the end of the year, causing him to miss four critical games including a DFB-Pokal clash against Holstein Kiel and Bundesliga matches against Werder Bremen, TSG Hoffenheim, and Eintracht Frankfurt. Additionally, HSV captain Yussuf Poulsen remains out with a muscle tear in his left hip, although he has begun partial training. Coach Merlin Polzin must now adjust the team’s strategy, with Ransford Königsdörffer and Rayan Philippe stepping up as potential replacements in attack.

At Borussia Dortmund, Niklas Süle is facing his sixth consecutive match absence due to a mysterious toe injury characterized by significant swelling, which has prevented him from wearing footwear comfortably. Despite some progress, coach Niko Kovac confirmed Süle will miss the DFB-Pokal match against Bayer Leverkusen and has not resumed training with the squad. Kovac expressed uncertainty about the precise nature of Süle's injury. With five other regular center-backs available, Süle’s absence, while significant, has been somewhat absorbed by the team. Süle is also in the final year of his contract with Dortmund, and his future at the club remains uncertain due to his injury-plagued tenure.

These injuries underscore the physical challenges faced by Bundesliga teams as they contend with fixture congestion and squad rotations in the demanding December schedule.