DORTMUND (dpa-AFX) - Jobe Bellingham has been suspended for two games following his sending-off at SC Freiburg. The 20-year-old will therefore miss Borussia Dortmund's home game against Borussia Monchengladbach this Friday and the game against Eintracht Frankfurt on January 9 at the start of the new year. Bellingham was shown a red card in the 53rd minute of Sunday's 1-1 draw in Freiburg for a professional foul. The ruling by the German Football Association's sports court is final.
Gregor Kobel felt for Bellingham after the game. "I feel sorry for him," said Dortmund's keeper about his teammate's red card. Through no fault of his own, the summer signing had become a tragic figure. The Englishman's sending-off was a "game changer," said sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Kobel took responsibility for it – and yet it fitted in with Bellingham's overall unfortunate situation in Dortmund.
Only five league games from the start
Bellingham, who joined from AFC Sunderland in the summer, is regularly in the spotlight at BVB. Because of his surname, which is famous in Dortmund and associated with high expectations. Because of the around €30 million that BVB paid for the younger brother of its former professional Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid). But so far, the midfielder has not really got going. In Freiburg, he played only his fifth league game from the start. And now he's out again - including Friday's explosive Borussia derby against Monchengladbach.
"I don't think it should be part of the overall discussion. Situations like this happen in soccer," Kehl said of Bellingham's red card in Freiburg. Kobel had put his teammate in a difficult position with a risky and misplaced pass, and he then fouled opponent Philipp Treu.
Kobel could have handled the situation "better with all his class," Kehl said. "Someone always gets caught up in it, in this case Jobe." The latest setback will "not throw the youngster off track." In general, "some things could have been done better" in the scene, said BVB coach Niko Kovac.
Turbulent days for BVB
His Dortmund team had done well up to that point. After turbulent days, in which they embarrassed themselves in the Champions League with a 2-2 draw against Norwegian underdogs FK Bodo/Glimt and defensive leader Nico Schlotterbeck caused a stir with his public criticism of his teammates, BVB showed a reaction. However, Ramy Bensebaini's goal in the 31st minute was not enough to move them up to second place after Bellingham's sending-off and Lucas Holer's dream goal for Freiburg in the 75th minute. The mood remains tense.
Kobel said that the performances against Bodo/Glimt and in Freiburg should "not be lumped together." However, three points against Gladbach are needed for a peaceful holiday season. Even without Bellingham.
