BVB dealt fresh injury blow with Ryerson knock
Borussia Dortmund haven't resumed their games yet but seems like they already have a fresh injury concern on their hands after Julian Ryerson was forced off on Sunday.
The BVB star had to leave the field in the 66th minute of Norway's UEFA Nations League clash with Portugal with an apparent knock, although a diagnosis is yet to come through.
Ryerson shines at left-back
With David Møller Wolfe suspended from the clash and Norway lacking in a solid replacement at the left-back spot, manager Ståle Solbakken played Ryerson, a right-back, in his place, and the Dortmund star had an uneven match.
His attacking quality was visible in the first half, with the 28-year-old sending in three long balls and making one dangerous run forward which nearly resulted in a chance for Erling Haaland. Ryerson raided the Portuguese area with fire and fury, but just when he was about to play Haaland, the BVB full-back was fouled instead.
Norway came through the break with more attacking impetus and Ryerson won a free-kick in Portugal's half shortly into the restart after Joao Palhinha brought him down. Martin Odegaard stood over it and made a direct attempt at goal. Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa spilled it back into play and Patrick Berg headed it into Haaland's path for the Manchester City striker to nudge it over the line for 1-1.
Defensively though, Ryerson left a lot to be desired. He went into the books after just 16 minutes for a mistimed tackle on Francisco Conceição while also winning just five of his 10 attempted ground duels. But his evening was cut short by a knock in the 66th minute.
Ryerson's night ends prematurely
Julian Ryerson was an active component of Norway's attacking structure against Portugal and had helped them build momentum on his side of the flank. But the home side were dealt a blow when he aggravated his rib injury and had to leave the field.
A physical duel for the ball ended up in a free-kick for Norway, but it left Ryerson clutching his ribs as pain in the same area flared up again - after having initially sustained a knock there in the Denmark clash - and was unable to continue, with Leo Østigård replacing him in the 66th minute.
Medical examinations of his injury are yet to come through, but Norway and Dortmund will be hoping that it isn't too serious. Norway have two more games to play during this international window, against Wales on 1 October and Portugal again on 4 October. As for the BVB, the club doesn't have a natural right-back/right wing-back in his place after loaning out Yan Couto to Como this summer. However, Daniel Svensson's eye-catching display in that position for Sweden against Poland might give them a ray of hope.
Today's best reads
Nations League roundup, 27 September: Which BVB stars are in action tonight? Here's the full list
Daniel Svensson shows he can be a useful attacking weapon on the right-back
These Dortmund players will face each other during the international break!
Even without assists, Ryerson showed why he's such a fascinating attacking option
Fabio Silva made to wait for Portugal return; dropped from Wales match
