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Dortmund could be down key players

Kai DambachFebruary 27, 2016

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel was not optimistic about the condition of some of his top players for Sunday's match against Hoffenheim.

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Fußball Europa League Krasnodar vs. BVB Borussia Dortmund
Image: Reuters/M. Shemetov

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed doubts over a number of his key players ahead of Sunday's Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim.

Speaking to the press on Saturday afternoon the Dortmund coach said captain Mats Hummels, Lukasz Piszczek and Marco Reus are all suffering from injuries, while Ilkay Gündogan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may also be out after picking up an illness.

He said: "We are still not sure about Hummels' condition. We have a couple of players who are doubtful. We could see Ilkay played too early after his illness. We want to have a fresh set of players on the field on Sunday."

"Aubameyang also caught an infection. As of now he is not training with the team because he may be contagious," said the head coach.

Looking to cement second spot

Hummels and Gündogan came off at halftime in Thursday's Europa League clash against FC Porto. Tuchel said Hummels came off because of an injury and Gündogan came off after a poor performance.

Lukasz Piszczek has had plenty of injury problems over the years. He has missed 52 games due to injury since joining Dortmund in 2010, including five this year and 16 last year.

With a win, second-placed Borussia Dortmund would extend their lead over Hertha Berlin in third by 15 points.