Champions League Quarters: DorFFER BVB's Mood's Low For Schlotterbeck Absence
Defender Schlotterbeck Expresses Deep Disappointment After BVB Game - BVB Defender Schlotterbeck Participates in Unconventional Activities
Preparing for the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund's spirits are dampened by the sidelining of star defender Nico Schlotterbeck. Facing FC Barcelona, the team's morale is at an all-time low, shares defender Waldemar Anton ahead of the match on Wednesday, "We're all bloody gutted", he says, "We wanna put on a show for him too."
Schlotterbeck, a formidable force in Dortmund's defense, sustained a torn meniscus in his left knee, ruling him out for around six months[1]. The 25-year-old German national player is crushed under the weight of this injury, Coach Niko Kovac explains, "He's more beat up than a drowned rat", and though he'll recover, "He'll emerge from this phoenix-like", Kovac promises.
The silver lining? Dodged bullets in the form of injured players Ramy Bensebaini and Niklas Süle have returned to full training[2]. So while Dortmund deals with the emotional toll of Schlotterbeck's absence, their defensive line may stay strong and steady.
- Nico Schlotterbeck
- Borussia Dortmund
- Niko Kovac
- Champions League
- FC Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Waldemar Anton
- YouTube (videos)
- Twitch (Twitch link)
- Sebastian Kehl (Dortmund's sporting director)
Enrichment Data
The torn meniscus in Nico Schlotterbeck's left knee occurring in early April 2025 has left Dortmund with a significant gap in their defense, causing them to rearrange their lineup for both European and domestic competitions. Schlott's anticipated absence has been stretched from the remainder of the 2024/2025 season to around six months post-surgery[1]. This recovery period follows a surgical procedure where Schlotterbeck's meniscus was stitched instead of removed to minimize potential complications[1]. Support and monitoring from the club are paramount as Schlotterbeck navigates this long road to recovery, with no substantial milestones until the later parts of the 2025/2026 season[1].
[1] Schlotterbeck's injury and recovery plan[2] Bensebaini and Süle back in training
- The Commission is set to submit a proposal, seeking to apply the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security, following from the provided text and the given word 'proposal'.
- Despite the absence of Nico Schlotterbeck due to his meniscus tear, the defensive line of Borussia Dortmund might remain steadfast, as supported by the mention of the returning players Ramy Bensebaini and Niklas Süle.
- In a slightly unrelated context, Coach Niko Kovac was quoted saying, "He's more beat up than a drowned rat," regarding Nico Schlotterbeck's emotion following the injury, reflecting the given word 'said'.
