Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has travelled to London for the club’s Champions League decider against Chelsea, though faces a race against time to be fit for the match.
BVB head to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night for the second leg of their last-16 tie, leading 1-0 after Karim Adeyemi’s blistering winner in the opening clash in Germany last month.
However, German midfielder Adeyemi will not play in a return game that could still prove so crucial to the embattled Graham Potter’s future as Chelsea boss despite Saturday’s much-needed win over Leeds in the Premier League, having sustained a hamstring injury in the 4-1 defeat of Hertha Berlin that came four days after the first leg.
First-choice ‘keeper Kobel also handed Dortmund boss Edin Terzic a huge scare on Friday night after suffering a thigh injury during the warm-up for a Bundesliga showdown with RB Leipzig, having to be withdrawn from the starting XI late and replaced by deputy Alexander Meyer for a 2-1 win.
Kobel was presumed ruled out for the decider against Chelsea too, though he was on the plane that departed for the UK on Monday morning.
“We’ll see tomorrow if it’s enough!” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl told reporters at the airport before departure.
While it remains to be seen if Kobel will face Chelsea, one player who will be fit is Dutch international Donyell Malen.
The former Arsenal winger did not play against Leipzig due to an ankle injury, though was included in the travelling squad on Monday.
Norwegian right-back Julian Ryerson is suspended for the second leg against Chelsea, with teenage star Youssoufa Moukoko out injured for Dortmund along with Mateu Morey Bauza and Julien Duranville.
