Franco-Ivorian Sébastien Haller made his comeback on the pitch this Sunday, January 22, six months after being diagnosed with a testicular tumor in July 2022. Entered in the 62nd minute of the match between Borussia Dortmund and Augsburg, c It was the first time he played an official match in the colors of his new club.
His return was highly anticipated, and the German public let him know. Ivorian international Sébastien Haller made his big return to competition this Sunday, January 22, during the match of the 16th day of the German championship which opposed Borussia Dortmund to Augsburg. Transferred from Ajax Amsterdam to Borussia last summer, the striker stayed away from the pitch for six months after being diagnosed with a testicular tumor in July 2022.
The announcement of his illness had prevented him from immediately wearing the colors of his new club in an official match, just after his transfer to the Bundesliga. It was only recently, at the beginning of January, that Sébastien Haller gradually began his return to the team by playing two friendly matches. His last official match dates back to June 3, 2022, during the meeting Côte d’Ivoire – Zambia (3-1). This Sunday, January 22, he therefore finally made his debut in the German championship under the colors of Borussia Dortmund.
A return applauded by 82,000 people
Entering in the 62nd minute to the ovation of the Signal Iduna Park public, and decked out in a pair of cleats decorated with a “F*ck cancer”, the striker hoped to succeed in unlocking an explosive and highly contested match between the two teams. At halftime, Borussia Dortmund was still slow to find the solution (2-2) against a very combative Augsburg team.
It was not until the end of the second period to see victory take shape for the Yellows and Blacks. While the young Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 18, allowed Borussia to return to the score (3-2) at 75e minute, defender David Colina responded immediately by equalizing again for Augsburg (3-3, 76e). It was finally Giovanni Reyna who delivered Borussia by skillfully lobbing the opposing goalkeeper (4-3, 78e) at the end of a crazy match. For his part, Haller did not create clear chances but could have been better served several times by his teammates in the penalty area.
” The welcome I received was incredible and unforgettable. I was just happy to be here, to take my first steps on the pitch. It was something to take with the team, there was a lot of noise “Commented Sébastien Haller after the match. ” We will say that I am completely back because I can play with the team, but there are still small things to find my maximum physical level “, he also added.