Bad news for Borussia Dortmund. Youssoufa Moukoko will miss several weeks for the Bundesliga top club. This was announced by the club.

Borussia Dortmund will have to do without talented striker Youssoufa Moukoko in the coming weeks.

The 18-year-old tore his syndesmosis ligament in the 2:0 away win at Werder Bremen on Saturday. This was announced by BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl on Monday.

Dortmund expect the player to be out of action for an estimated six weeks. “This is bitter news for him, for us, especially in the current phase,” Kehl said.

Moukoko had to be substituted after half an hour in Bremen. It was preceded by a foul by Bremen’s Leonardo Bittencourt, who was not even shown a yellow card after his rude tackle. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look that good,” BVB coach Edin Terzic had already said after the game, fearing a longer period of absence.

Moukoko absence is first BVB setback in 2023

Accordingly, Moukoko will also miss the Champions League first leg against Chelsea FC. Dortmund face the “Blues” from London on Wednesday (9 pm) and can start with a broad chest. BVB have won all six of their competitive matches so far in 2023. After a difficult first half of the season, in which Terzic often had to deal with many injuries, he recently had almost the entire squad at his disposal again – which also strengthened the competition. Now, with the loss of Moukoko, comes the first setback of the new year.

In the weeks of the new year so far, Moukoko had to relinquish his temporary regular place to Sébastien Haller. Nevertheless, he was back in the starting eleven against Bremen. In 18 appearances this season, Moukoko has scored 18 goals and set up four others.