Karim Adeyemi described Sebastien Haller's health scare as "a smack in the face" for Borussia Dortmund – and revealed why Jurgen Klopp influenced his move to the German giants.
Forwards Adeyemi and Haller have joined Dortmund as last season's Bundesliga runners-up look for a way to cope without Erling Haaland, who left for Manchester City.
However, Haller may be out for some time after medical checks this week discovered a testicular tumour. Haller was with his new club in Switzerland when he complained of feeling unwell at training on Monday, and the 28-year-old has since returned to Germany.
Ivory Coast striker Haller arrived on a four-year deal from Dutch champions Ajax, while Germany international Adeyemi has come to Dortmund from Salzburg.
According to Adeyemi, Dortmund have the resources to battle on without Haller.
"At this point once again all the best to Sebastien," Adeyemi said. "I think for all of us it was a smack in the face, but I don't think we have to replace anyone.
"We try to keep playing football and I don't know, maybe a different formation or someone else up front in attack would help as well. I think in the end we have the quality to play with another forward."
Dortmund, who face Spanish side Villarreal in a friendly on Friday, will be hoping Haller soon recovers and is able to show his best for the club. Haller was the Eredivisie's top scorer with 21 goals in 31 games last season, while netting 11 times in eight Champions League matches.
Only Robert Lewandowski (13) and Karim Benzema (15) scored more Champions League goals than Haller, who is returning to German football after previously playing for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Adeyemi has yet to play in the Bundesliga, having left Bayern Munich as a 16-year-old in 2018 to join Salzburg. Now 20, he recalled how he loved watching Dortmund when Klopp, now Liverpool's manager, was in charge of BVB.
Klopp was Dortmund's boss from 2008 to 2015, with the young Adeyemi dazzled by a team that twice won the Bundesliga and reached the 2013 Champions League final.
"As a child, I often looked at Dortmund and found the Klopp time very, very formative," Adeyemi said. "I think I also like the style of play very much. And yes, in the end I drew the line with my family and said that we want to go this way."
Last season, Adeyemi was joint top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga with 19 goals, and second overall in goal involvements after adding five assists to that haul.
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
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