Dortmund loses Kobel ahead of huge Leipzig clash
Nuri Sahin confirmed that Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will miss the upcoming Bundesliga fixture with RB Leipzig this weekend.
Kobel, who has kept four clean sheets in 13 appearances in all competitions this season, sustained a hip injury in the DFB Pokal defeat to Wolfsburg.
The Switzerland international becomes the latest name to be sidelined for Dortmund, which has failed to win its pasr three games in all competitions.
Sahin is already without Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Gio Reyna, Kjell Watjen, Niklas Sule, Julian Ryerson, and Yan Couto, among others.
"Clearly it is a difficult situation with the defeats and the Cup exit, a competition we had high expectations for," Sahin said.
"The injury list with this squad is extremely bitter. With Greg [Kobel] out now we have 10 players out.
"Ten players injured. That's something I have not experienced before. How do we get out of it? We won't hide behind excuses. The lads are well prepared."
Dortmund comes into the encounter after earning 13 points from its first eight games, its worst start to a Bundesliga season since 2014-2015.
Sahin's struggles have been away from home in the league this term, failing to win any of its five games while also conceding 10 goals during those matches.
But it has won each of its past eight home games in all competitions, its longest run since between November 2022 and May 2023, when it won 11.
Dortmund is the only team yet to drop a point at home in the Bundesliga this season and has collected 12 of its 13 points at Signal Iduna Park.
Sahin is confident that his side's run on home soil will help to stop its current losing streak.
"We are well prepared and we play at home. And at home it is difficult to beat us," Sahin said.
"I know my role and the players know their roles. We have to go through this. We have to work our way out of this situation.
"We need the stadium tomorrow more than ever. I'm sure the stadium will have a feel for our situation. We want to continue our home streak."
However, Dortmund has lost six of its past seven competitive games against RB Leipzig, with its only win coming in a 2-1 victory in the 2022-2023 campaign.
It had previously gone on an eight-match unbeaten run against Die Roten Bullen in all competitions,winning six and drawing two.
