{"id":572418,"date":"2020-11-17T05:30:42","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T10:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=572418"},"modified":"2020-11-17T05:30:42","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T10:30:42","slug":"union-berlin-striker-joel-pohjanpalo-injured-on-international-duty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/17\/union-berlin-striker-joel-pohjanpalo-injured-on-international-duty\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Berlin Striker Joel Pohjanpalo Injured on International Duty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Union Berlin striker Joel Pohjanpalo<\/a> has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after picking up an ankle injury, the club have confirmed<\/a>. The 26-year-old, who is on loan from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen, picked up his injury while on international duty with Finland.<\/p>\n

Joel Pohjanpalo Ruled Out For the Long Term<\/h2>\n

Injury on International Duty<\/h3>\n

On loan from Bayer Leverkusen<\/a>, Finnish striker Joel Pohjanpalo has already netted twice for Union Berlin. But now, the 26-year-old looks like he could miss the majority of the season with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n

The striker picked up the injury during Finland’s Nations League tie against Bulgaria. Finland won the game 2-1, resulting in qualification with one game still to play. However, Pohjanpalo picked up his injury just after the half-hour mark and was replaced by Brentford forward, Marcus Forss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pohjanpalo hasn’t scored for Finland since a 4-1 defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina back in October, 2019.<\/p>\n

Finland, who also beat France in an international friendly last week, take on group leaders Wales on Wednesday night. Pohjanpalo was an unused substitute against Les Blues<\/em> and won’t play a part against Wales.<\/p>\n

Back to Union<\/h3>\n

Pohjanpalo has netted two goals from five Bundesliga games for Union this season. Although they have several other forwards capable of scoring the goals, the injury will be a major blow for Urs Fischer and his side.<\/p>\n

Union sit fifth in the Bundesliga with 12 points from their opening seven league games in what has been a promising start for the K\u00f6pernick club.<\/p>\n

But, as has been an argument across many leagues this season, domestic managers will be questioning the need for international fixtures when the league seasons are already congested.<\/p>\n

Many players are picking up injuries from their international fixtures and it is affecting their club results. Union will be hopeful that the absence of Pohjanpalo won’t be a major blow when they return to league action against K\u00f6ln on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>