11 players are currently on international duty with their national teams. Malen scored in the Netherlands’ game, after the German national team had gotten the international action involving Black & Yellows under way with their 1000th match.

Malen was in the Nations League semi-final starting line-up for the Netherlands, who were battling Croatia for a place in the final, on Wednesday evening. And the Dortmund attacker immediately played himself into the spotlight when he put his team 1-0 in front in the 34th minute. The Croats managed to turn the game around in the second half, only for the Dutch to level the scores at 2-2 in injury time. Croatia then scored two more goals in extra-time and won 4-2. Malen played 75 minutes. On Sunday, the Netherlands will face the loser of the Spain vs. Italy match in the third-place play-off.

Three BVB players started the German national team’s commemorative match: Nico Schlotterbeck, Julian Brandt and Marius Wolf, who shortly after kick-off burst free down the right flank and fired a shot at goal. The ball took a touch off Werder Bremen’s Niclas Füllkrug on its way into the back of the net to give Germany a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute. Ukraine subsequently went 3-1 ahead. But a late surge from Germany saw them score two goals to salvage a 3-3 draw. 

Schlotterbeck came off at half-time, while Wolf’s work was done by the hour mark. Brandt joined them on the bench 10 minutes later. Emre Can was an unused substitute. 

The next international fixture with Black & Yellow involvement will take place on Friday. (cr)