Atubolu suffers injury setback

After a defeat against FC Union Berlin this weekend saw their string of seven straight Bundesliga matches without a loss snapped, SC Freiburg had some more unfortunate news to report.

Starting keeper Noah Atubolu looks to be sidelined for at least the next league fixture against Borussia Dortmund. Die Breisgauer confirmed a shoulder capsule injury for the 22-year-old on Tuesday.

Atubolu collided with teammate Philipp Lienhart whilst attempting to defend a cross shortly before half-time in Sunday’s loss.

Though the highly-touted Germany U-21 international was able to play on for a while, he ultimately had to be substituted in the 58th minute. Veteran German keeper Florian Müller played the final half-hour plus.

Atubolu found himself in the midst of a historic season in which he broke a club record for the number of Bundesliga minutes gone without conceding a goal.

The Freiburg native has conceded only 33 league goals this season and has kept 10 clean sheets.

Born to a German mother and Nigerian father, Atubolu is eligible to play for both Germany and Nigeria, but the player has declared his intention to represent Germany.

But despite making his desire to play for Germany known before the last international break, there was still no space for the Freiburg goalkeeper in the Germany national team.

It, however, remains to be seen if he will consider the option of playing for Nigeria after coach Julian Nagelsmann overlooked him.

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