It was the last action of the game. Even Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel ran forward to equalize in the Champions League against FC Barcelona. Pascal Groß hit the free kick into the penalty area, where Nico Schlotterbeck headed the ball over the goal. BVB lost the game 2:3. Much worse: Schlotterbeck was obviously seriously injured during the action.
The national player landed badly with his left foot and twisted his ankle. The 25-year-old immediately flagged down the carers and indicated that he was injured. When the referee blew the game’s whistle, Schlotterbeck was treated on the pitch. Paramedics brought him off the field on a stretcher, Schlotterbeck held his face contorted in pain.
“I hope it’s not that bad. “He was definitely in pain on the pitch,” said Dortmund defender Emre Can. “I don’t have a diagnosis yet. Of course he is dejected. It would be a catastrophe if he were to fail. I’ve seen the pictures, it doesn’t look good,” said BVB coach Nuri Sahin.
Central defender Süle will be out for months
It was only shortly before the game that Sahin received bad news. He will have to be without his central defender Niklas Süle for several months. Borussia Dortmund will have to be without central defender Niklas Süle for months.
“Unfortunately he has a serious injury,” said Sahin. Süle, who had already been out this season due to an injury to his right syndesmosis, was injured again last Saturday. “It’s the same injury,” Sahin said. “It’s very, very bitter because we needed Niki very, very much.” Now the next central defender, Schlotterbeck, is in danger of being out.
The last action overshadowed a strong performance by BVB against Barcelona, which, however, mercilessly punished two mistakes by Dortmund. “None of us feel like saying, ‘We played well but lost.’ Then you get such a pickle, which shouldn’t happen. At this level, it’s small mistakes that make a difference,” said Can. His coach saw it the same way: “We have quality. We’re young, but I don’t want to hear about us playing good games anymore. I want to win these games. I want winners, we have to become winners.”
