Yan Couto Suffers Injury in Tight Borussia Dortmund Victory over Rot-Weiss Essen
Struggling Borussia Dortmund faces concerns over their professional standing due to delayed efforts.
In a heated DFB-Pokal match between Borussia Dortmund and Rot-Weiss Essen on August 18, 2025, Yan Couto, a Brazilian footballer for Borussia Dortmund, sustained an injury during the closing minutes of the game.
The Injury Incident
The incident occurred in the 94th minute when Couto was on the receiving end of a studs-up challenge by Kelsey Owusu, a substitute for Rot-Weiss Essen. Couto was stretchered off the field, and initial fears suggested a serious injury. However, an MRI revealed only severe bruising[5].
Impact on the Match and Aftermath
Despite the injury, Borussia Dortmund managed to secure a 1:0 victory, with Serhou Guirassy scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute[6]. The match was a close one, with Borussia Dortmund struggling to control the game[10].
Manager Niko Kovac expressed surprise that the tackle only resulted in a yellow card, criticizing the refereeing decision[3]. Kelsey Owusu later apologized for the tackle, but he faced racist abuse on social media, adding an unsavory element to the incident[1].
Team Implications
With Couto's quick recovery, Borussia Dortmund may not need to enter the transfer market, despite considering it if his absence were to be prolonged[2]. The injury occurred due to Kovac having to improvise in defense due to injuries to Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, and Niklas Süle[9].
Other Notable Events
The match was the first derby between the two teams since 2008. Filippo Mane made his first competitive appearance for BVB[7]. The match was a derby between local rivals Borussia Dortmund and Rot-Weiss Essen. It was played at the sold-out Stadion an der Hafenstraße[8].
Serhou Guirassy first posed a serious threat to the RWE goal, and Kovac brought on Jude Bellingham and Julian Brandt after an hour, making Dortmund's play more purposeful[4]. Despite Dortmund's struggles in the first half, Essen grew bolder and had the first chance[10].
In the end, Borussia Dortmund advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal, marking the first win for Borussia Dortmund against Rot-Weiss Essen since 1960. The match was played without the presence of Frank Mill, who died from the consequences of a heart attack on August 5th[11].
References:
- BBC Sport
- ESPN
- Goal
- Sports Mole
- Sky Sports
- The Guardian
- Borussia Dortmund
- Rot-Weiss Essen
- Transfermarkt
- Kicker
- Borussia Dortmund
In light of the injury suffered by Yan Couto during the DFB-Pokals derby match against Rot-Weiss Essen, it's crucial that community and national legislation address such incidents in sports, particularly football, to ensure player safety and prevent future occurrences. Additionally, the implementation of stricter competition policy could help to minimize violent acts on the pitch, fostering a more positive and fair competitive environment for all.
