Donyell Malen still has adjustment problems at Borussia Dortmund, coach Marco Rose said in the run-up to the game against RB Leipzig. The the Dutch international is not sure of a base place and also had to settle for a role as a substitute against Ajax (1-3) last Wednesday. According to Rose, Malen’s development still offers a lot of room for progression.
Last summer, the 22-year-old striker made the switch from PSV to Dortmund for an amount of thirty million euros. In his first months, Malen has trouble playing in the starting line-up. Even now that first choice Erling Braut Haaland is sidelined due to an injury, there is no starting place for Malen. Because he was not in top shape on Wednesday, he started on the bench against Ajax. Also on Saturday evening (6.30 pm) he does not have to count on a basic place in the top match between Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
“Donyell still has adjustment problems,” said Rose about Malen, who, despite his lesser phase in Germany, has been included in the final the Dutch selection for the coming international period by national coach Louis van Gaal. “In the beginning he wasn’t very fit, then he picked himself up and scored against Sporting Portugal in the Champions League. That was very important for us, he has an important role in the team,” said the trainer. “He is not yet able to assert himself sufficiently in the one-on-one situations, he is not yet able to use his power and speed. We are working on that.”
Rose emphasizes that Malen has the full support of Borussia Dortmund. “Donyell must prove that he can achieve a high level for a longer period of time,” said the coach. Malen has played 865 minutes in all competitions so far. After ten games, he is still waiting for his first Bundesliga goal. Last season he scored nineteen times in the Eredivisie.
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