Borussia Dortmund opened their UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Villarreal at a packed stadium in Germany, though the win was heavily overshadowed by a first-half medical emergency involving summer signing Konstantinos Karetsas. According to match reports, the 18-year-old midfielder collapsed without contact due to circulation issues before being carried off on a stretcher and taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
Karetsas Medical Scare Overshadows BVB Opener
Playing in front of 77,500 supporters, Dortmund endured a tense opening 45 minutes that yielded no goals but plenty of anxiety. In the first half, Konstantinos Karetsas suddenly dropped to the turf without external impact, holding his left arm near his face as medical personnel rushed to his aid. The club later confirmed that the Greek teenager was conscious and doing as well as could be expected under the circumstances during his hospital transfer.
BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel spoke candidly to Prime after the final whistle about the psychological toll of the scare. “It was obviously super bitter that the second Greek player had to leave the pitch as well,” Kobel said, referencing teammate Giannis Konstantelias, who is currently sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Kobel added that he hoped Karetsas would make a full and swift recovery.
Second-Half Goal Tally Secures Three Points
With Karetsas removed, English teenager Ethan Nwaneri entered the match as a replacement, having arrived at the end of the transfer window precisely to help offset Dortmund’s growing injury concerns. Nwaneri immediately energized the attacking midfield, though it was a chaotic second half that ultimately broke the deadlock.
Borussia Dortmund finally broke through in the 53rd minute when Villarreal’s Renato Veiga inadvertently turned a sharp cross from Maximilian Beier into his own net. The visitors struck back in the 66th minute through defender Santiago Mouriño, who capitalized following a corner kick to level the score.
Serhou Guirassy then took over for the hosts. The French striker restored Dortmund’s lead in the 80th minute before converting a penalty kick five minutes later to make it 3–1. Though Guirassy suffered a moment of misfortune by scoring an own goal in the 93rd minute off a Villarreal free kick, Dortmund successfully managed the remaining seconds to seal the three points.
Managerial and Player Reactions to the European Win
Despite securing the opening win of the league phase, players emphasized that defensive concentration remains an area for improvement. “The goals against didn’t have to happen, we have to work on that,” Guirassy told Prime following the match. “Of course we are happy that we ultimately won the game. That gives self-confidence for the rest of the season.”
Villarreal spent the closing moments pushing for a dramatic equalizer, leaving defender Renato Veiga visibly frustrated at the final whistle as he ripped the collar of his jersey in anger. Meanwhile, the home supporters managed the atmosphere despite a stark contrast in traveling support; according to stadium announcer Norbert Dickel, exactly 39 Villarreal fans made the trip to Germany to back the Spanish side.
What Comes Next in the Champions League
Borussia Dortmund will turn their attention back to domestic and European fixture schedules as they monitor Karetsas’ medical recovery and test results from the hospital. Fans can check official club channels and UEFA competition pages for further injury updates ahead of the club’s next scheduled fixture.
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