Karim Adeyemi scored three times. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Hat-trick thanks to Broccoli: Dortmund celebrates Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi did not seem too dejected. The pride he had scored three goals in Dortmund's 7-1 (5-1) win over Celtic Glasgow helped him to overcome his injury frustration.

03 October 2024

From: dpa

When asked about the reasons for his celebrated gala performance at the highest Champions League success in the black and yellow club's history, he reacted with a mischievous smile. "I don't know, my wife made broccoli yesterday," joked the attacker, who is in a relationship with rapper Loredana and was named "Player of the Match".

His brilliant performance in the first half, in which he scored three goals in one game for Borussia for the first time (11th, 29th and 41st minutes) and also won a penalty, ended abruptly. The break was barely over when the 22-year-old grabbed his thigh after a short sprint, sank to the ground and had to be substituted while limping.

Is a longer forced break imminent?

Memories of the 2022/23 season with two torn muscle fibers and a forced break of ten games were awakened. Nevertheless, Adeyemi was confident that he would get off lightly this time: "It didn't feel as bad as usual. Hopefully I'll be back soon. I'll make the most of it and take the good energy with me."

Injured: Karim Adeyemi © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

According to information from Bild, the fast dribbler is facing a longer absence. He will have to take a break for three to four weeks due to a torn muscle fiber, the report said on Thursday evening. That would hit Dortmund hard. After all, Adeyemi's form has been on the rise for weeks. In eight competitive matches, he has scored five goals and provided five assists. That is already a better result than in the entire previous season.

Adeyemi seems to be well on his way to shedding his reputation as a dreamer. "He's taken the next step, has improved significantly in many areas and seems more confident. With his skills and his weapons, he can give this team an incredible amount," enthused sports director Sebastian Kehl. "We've often praised him, I hope he sticks with it." Coach Nuri Sahin expressed similar views: "His overall package is really strong. But we have to make sure that we bring that onto the pitch every three days and in every training session."

DFB nomination in sight

Even the national coach had words of praise. Adeyemi is not part of the 23-man squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands, but can hope to return to the senior national team soon: "He was injured, but he is in a very good flow. I see him as a candidate for us in the future," said Julian Nagelsmann in an interview with the DFB.

BVB celebrated a landslide victory. © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

The speculation that arose in the summer that several financially strong clubs were vying for Adeyemi is becoming louder again due to such appearances. Just one day after the gala against the overwhelmed Scots, Bild linked him with Liverpool FC, who are said to be looking for a replacement for superstar Mohamed Salah and are said to be prepared to pay 50 million euros for the BVB jewel. Referring to the transfer window that has been closed since August 30, Adeyemi reacted with surprise: "It's October. I can't move then. I feel great here in Dortmund and have been a big fan since I was a little boy."

With tailwind to Madrid

With the 7-1 win against Celtic, the Bundesliga's fifth-placed team enhanced their opening win in Bruges (3-0) and gained courage for the repeat of the Champions League final in just under three weeks at Real Madrid. "That is the benchmark so far this season, the way we have pressed. We have to be measured by that," said football coach Sahin, full of hope that his team will produce a similar performance in the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin on Saturday (15.30:XNUMX p.m.).

Adeyemi's hat-trick was received less well by Peter Schmeichel than by his coach. The former world-class goalkeeper and father of Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel gave vent to his frustration as an expert for the TV channel CBS in an interview with the Dortmund match winner: "I will never forgive you for what you did to my son today."