Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck was stretchered off the field with a potentially serious ankle injury during his team’s 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The injury leaves last season’s Champions League runners-up without any available central defenders. Schlotterbeck’s last action in the match saw him head the ball narrowly over the bar, but he landed awkwardly and appeared to be in significant pain.
As the referee signaled the end of the match, Schlotterbeck received treatment on the field before being carried off, visibly distressed and covering his face with his hands.
Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin commented on Schlotterbeck’s condition, noting that he was “obviously in low spirits” following the injury. “I’m waiting for the diagnosis and then we’ll see, but I’ve watched the footage, too, and it doesn’t look so good,” Sahin told DAZN.
Due to injuries, Dortmund had already been forced to field midfielder Emre Can alongside Schlotterbeck in central defense. Niklas Süle is expected to be sidelined for several months with an ankle injury, while Waldemar Anton has not played since November 30 due to a reported muscle tear.
Currently sitting sixth in the Bundesliga, Dortmund will face Hoffenheim on Sunday, followed by a match against Wolfsburg on December 22, which will be their final game before the winter break.
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