Media: Dortmund faces longer Can absence - Dortmund's captain Emre Can faces another lengthy spell out with injury
Borussia Dortmund faces fresh injury concerns as captain Emre Can battles a recurring adductor problem. Reports from Bild and Sky suggest he may not return until the end of February, ruling him out of key fixtures. The setback adds to the club's defensive struggles ahead of crucial matches in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Can will definitely miss Saturday's away game against Wolfsburg. His absence comes after a lengthy spell on the sidelines in 2025, when adductor issues kept him out for nearly six months. He only returned to action last November, having last played at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Dortmund remains hopeful the midfielder will recover in time for the top-of-the-table clash with Bayern Munich on February 28. However, there are fears the injury could flare up again, potentially extending his time out.
The problems don't end with Can. Italian full-back Filippo Mane is also sidelined for several weeks due to a muscle injury. Meanwhile, Argentinian defender Aaron Anselmino left the club in January, further thinning Dortmund's defensive options. The timing could hardly be worse, with the Champions League playoff ties against Atalanta looming.
Can's injury leaves Dortmund short of experience at a critical stage of the season. The team must now navigate a tough run of fixtures without their captain and key defenders. His fitness will be closely monitored as the Bayern Munich showdown approaches.
