Konstantinos Karetsas Suffers Ankle Injury in Dortmund Draw

Konstantinos Karetsas Injured in Borussia Dortmund Draw with Union Berlin

Konstantinos Karetsas sustained an ankle injury during Borussia Dortmund’s 0-0 Bundesliga draw against 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday, forcing him off the pitch just eight minutes after entering the match in the second half. The 18-year-old is now all but certain to miss Tuesday’s upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against Azerbaijani side Sabah FK, according to club officials.

Niko Kovac and Club Directors Assess the Damage

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac addressed the media after the final whistle regarding the severity of the setback. We’ll have to see how serious it is. Right now, I feel sorry for the lad. Ever since he’s been here, he certainly hasn’t had much luck, Kovac said, as reported by DPA.

Club executives confirmed that medical staff are evaluating the youngster. Managing director for sport Lars Ricken stated that the player twisted his ankle and that something is not quite right with the joint, necessitating further diagnostic testing. Meanwhile, sporting director Ole Book noted that the youngster was not feeling good after the match concluded.

A Recurring Medical History for the Young Player

The latest ankle problem compounds a difficult run of physical issues for Karetsas during his time with the German club. In September, he was carried off on a stretcher during a 3-2 Champions League victory over Villarreal due to circulation problems, which subsequently ruled him out of a Bundesliga fixture against Paderborn.

Addressing the psychological impact of these recurrent interruptions, Kovac acknowledged the lingering effects ahead of Saturday’s fixture. I think it’s still in the back of his mind. We can’t overlook any of that. He’s not yet back to where he was before, the manager said.

Borussia Dortmund Champions League Preparations

The squad must quickly pivot focus toward European competition without their teenage contributor. Borussia Dortmund hosts Sabah FK on Tuesday in the Champions League, with medical evaluations determining the exact timeline for Karetsas’s recovery from the newly diagnosed ankle injury.