Tim Kleindienst
BMG
Center Forward
Target Striker
Aug 31, 1995 (31)
Both
6'4"
187 lb
Likely to miss next two matches
Kleindienst (thigh) is expected to miss Borussia Monchengladbach's upcoming Bundesliga clash against Stuttgart and the following DFB-Pokal fixture as he continues recovering from a new muscle fiber tear, according to coach Alexander Blessin. "I don't think he'll be available against Stuttgart, and then we have the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday. He probably won't make it for those two games either."
Analysis: Kleindienst remains sidelined after suffering another muscular injury shortly after returning to team training following a lengthy absence. Coach Blessin clarified that the latest issue is not a recurrence of his previous injury but a new structural tear located approximately 10 centimeters above the original problem area. Although the tear is relatively small, the coach acknowledged that the situation is complicated given the striker's prolonged recovery and repeated setbacks. The 31-year-old captain missed Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Hoffenheim and is now expected to sit out at least two additional matches, further delaying his return to competitive action. No definitive comeback date has been established, and his availability beyond the upcoming Stuttgart and DFB-Pokal fixtures remains uncertain as Monchengladbach continue to manage his rehabilitation cautiously.
Returns for season finale
Kleindienst (knee) has returned to team training and is set to come off the bench in Saturday's final Bundesliga fixture against Hoffenheim, his first appearance since late November, according to coach Eugen Polanski, per Bild. "Tim has a strong presence on the pitch, but also a unique voice and vision. It is great to have him back. He has been greatly missed this season, and we wish him a positive end to the season Saturday after his long absence. His playing time will be very limited. It is simply about giving Tim a positive conclusion to a situation that has lasted an extremely long time. It is about rediscovering the joy of playing. Tim is not yet at 100 percent, but it is important for him to feel in good shape again."
Analysis: Kleindienst's last appearance came in late November 2025, when he managed one minute in the 0-0 draw against Leipzig, making Saturday's return a significant milestone after a lengthy knee injury. The 30-year-old has not publicly ruled out a World Cup dream, with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann set to announce his squad on May 21, leaving approximately four weeks before the opening match against Curacao on June 14. Manager Julian Nagelsmann has previously expressed interest in having a player of Kleindienst's profile available for the tournament, and Saturday's appearance could serve as a timely reminder of what he brings to the table.
Trains with team partially
Kleindienst (knee) reported to team training for the first 45 minutes before going to individual training, according to manager Eugen Polanski, per Thomas Grulke of Rheinische Post.
Analysis: Kleindienst has been working on his return for a few weeks now and is nearing a return to play, as he has taken his first steps in team training again. However, with the forward limited, a return is still likely to take another week or two, needing to ramp up his training. He is still eyeing a return to play in the season finale, trying to end on a positive note after an injury has left him out since December.
Still working on return
Kleindienst (knee) is still not yet in team training, according to manager Eugen Polanski. "In Tim, we still have a player who is not yet in team training, but on a good path."
Analysis: Kleindienst has been training individually for over a week now, but is not yet ready to make the next jump, not yet an option for team training. This comes due to a long absence, having been out since November due to his knee injury. A return this season would put a bright spot on a rough season for the forward, only appearing twice all season due to multiple injuries.
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