After the BVB exit it didn’t get any better

Ex-BVB star Donyell Malen is experiencing a bitter evening at the National League of the Netherlands. His dream of the Premier League also develops into a nightmare.

It was an evening to forget for Donyell. In the quarter-finals of the Nations League against Spain, the ex-dortmund was on the pitch with the Dutch national team on Sunday evening. In the 78th minute it was substituted, a minute later his former BVB team colleague Ian Maatsen scored 2-2 for Oranje.

The game went into extra time, where another goal was scored on both sides. In the 118th minute painting was a great opportunity, but his shot from the right penalty area sailed over the goal.

Painting is frustrated according to his shot upright

Painting is frustrated according to his shot upright

Painting awards great chances and penalty

Just two minutes later, he had the huge chance to win again. After a counterattack, he came to the ball in the penalty area, left an opponent and closed – but unai Simon parried.

So there was a penalty shootout, where Malen’s losing streak continued: he pushed the ball flat on the right corner, but the Spanish goalkeeper was back.

In return, Mikel Merino converted for Spain and shot La Roja into the final Four. A bitter evening for painting that symbolizes his previous season.

At Aston Villa only in the audience role

It was only in early 2025 that the international from Borussia Dortmund switched to Aston Villa and raved about the club’s internal interview from the Premier League: “It is really a dream that becomes true. I was in the Arsenal academy, and it was always a dream to play here.”

He gave the fans hope when he imagined: “I am a striker. I try to shape the game, score goals, give assists and make the stadium shake.”

So far, however, in Birmingham you are waiting for his goals and templates in vain. The Dutch offensive player hardly comes to the train, usually only the joker role remains. Since his change, he stood on the pitch in seven competitive games, only completed 235 minutes and was still waiting for his first goal participation. He was only allowed to go twice from the start.

Particularly bitter: painting was not even nominated for the Champions League squad. Aston Villa signed five new players in winter, but was only allowed to register three for the knockout phase. The decision was made on Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi – painting only the audience role here – also in the upcoming quarter -finals against PSG.

BVB exit was “a good solution”

In England everything should finally get better – BVB did not go well. After a difficult first half of the Bundesliga club with only five goals and a template in 22 games, the 26-year-old decided to change in early 2025. For the Dortmund, he played a total of 132 competitive games and scored 39 goals.

“Yes, that was not ideal. It was not always fun. I think it was also difficult for me,” he said in a receptional way in an interview with Sport Nederland in January for his time at BVB.

The dramatic 2-2 against FSV Mainz 05 was particularly remembered on the last matchday of the 2022/23 season, which cost BVB the championship. In the end, it was not enough for the title with FC Bayern – another damper for Malen’s career.

Kehl criticism: “Not really with your head at BVB”

Sports director Sebastian Kehl emphasized that the 26-year-old was “no longer really with his head at Borussia Dortmund” and the performance suffered. “In the constitution in which he ended up presented himself, the transfer was a good solution,” said the 45-year-old.

With the change to the island, his dream has fulfilled, but the hope of a better time in the Premier League smashed quickly and has developed into a nightmare. For the time being, he can only search for his luck with the villans in national competitions.

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