Positive news from Borussia Dortmund’s hospital: Nico Schlotterbeck was not seriously injured and is only out for a short time.
Painful departure: Nico Schlotterbeck has to leave the field against San Diego Loyal. IMAGO/Team 2
Since the friendly against US second division team San Diego Loyal (6-0) last Thursday, those responsible and the fans at Borussia Dortmund have been worried about Nico Schlotterbeck. The 23-year-old central defender, who was substituted on by coach Edin Terzic in the second half, fell to the ground after a duel with a pained face and had to hobble off the field in the 81st minute with problems in his left knee.
Schlotterbeck then had to end Borussia’s US tour early on Saturday, and now the diagnosis has been made: After another MRI scan in Germany, BVB gave the all-clear on Tuesday that the ten-time national player would only be out “due to a slight injury this week train”.
So for Schlotterbeck it was just a little shock and not another setback after a second half of the season that was disappointing for him personally. After a good first half of the year at BVB, last summer’s new signing from Freiburg was already struggling with injury problems in the second half of the season.
Unsatisfactory second half
He lost his regular place to veteran Mats Hummels, who together with Niklas Süle formed the mostly stable central defence. A weak international match against Ukraine (3:3) ended an overall disappointing half-season for Schlotterbeck.
Coach Terzic, who has already had to cope with weeks of forced breaks from youngster Julien Duranville (torn muscle) and Thomas Meunier, should be happy to hear Schlotterbeck’s all-clear given that he has a central defender problem.
In addition to Schlotterbeck, only three seasoned central defenders are available in Hummels and Süle. A problem that is well known and on which those responsible in Dortmund have been working for a long time. The thin staff situation in this position should be improved, the market for central defenders is being explored in order to fill the position behind the top 3.
2023-08-01 21:10:31
#Breathe #sigh #relief #BVB #Slight #injury #Schlotterbeck
