Haller to miss Atletico clash, Sancho to return

Dortmund’s German midfielder #19 Julian Brandt attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match against Atletico Madrid at the Signal Iduna Stadium in Dortmund, western Germany on April 15, 2024. (Photo by LEON KUEGELER / AFP)

Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller will miss Tuesday’s home Champions League quarter final clash with Atletico Madrid, while winger Jadon Sancho is set to return, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said Monday.

Dortmund trail 2-1 after the first leg in Madrid, with Haller scoring a goal late to bring the visitors back into the tie.

Haller was subbed off after just 10 minutes in Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday, the Ivory Coast striker’s first league start since September.

Terzic said Haller “needs to rest for a week to get a clearer diagnosis but we assume he’ll definitely be unavailable for two to three weeks.”

The injury continues Haller’s health struggles at Dortmund. The striker missed six months with testicular cancer after signing with the club in the summer of 2022.

This season, he missed several matches with an ankle injury after returning from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

Dortmund were however given a boost with the news that England winger Sancho, who missed Saturday’s win over Gladbach completely, will return.

“Jadon is fit again. He immediately felt better on Sunday and could train yesterday. He’s back in the squad.”

Terzic would not reveal whether Germany striker Niclas Fuellkrug or teenager Youssoufa Moukoko would replace Haller up front.

“We’ve got two training sessions and a bit of time to go. We had three players in that position and now we have two.

“In the past we’ve played well