Dortmund Await Update on Karetsas After Alarming Collapse
Borussia Dortmund are holding their breath over Kostas Karetsas after the teenager’s alarming collapse in the Champions League opener – with early indications pointing towards dehydration.
According to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the Greek attacking player may have gone down because he had not taken on enough water immediately before kick-off. Doctors reportedly first suspected dehydration during the initial examinations in hospital.
By Wednesday lunchtime, Dortmund were still unable to provide a clear medical update. The club had not announced any final diagnosis, and the information remained sparse.
Asked by SID, a club spokesman limited himself to a short status report: Karetsas was "doing well under the circumstances". The night before, sporting managing director Lars Ricken had spoken of sudden "circulatory problems" suffered by the 18-year-old.
A shocking moment at Signal Iduna Park
The incident silenced Signal Iduna Park in an instant.
After just 23 minutes of Dortmund’s 3-2 win over the LaLiga side, Karetsas suddenly collapsed without any contact. Seconds earlier, he had driven forward on a routine dribble and released a simple pass. Then came the distress signal: he raised his arm, calling for help.
Paramedics sprinted on. As they carried the new signing off the pitch, the crowd rose to applaud. Karetsas left the field with tears in his eyes, the euphoric European night suddenly overshadowed.
"I went out with him, but at that moment he was not directly able to speak," Dortmund sporting director Ole Book said straight after the final whistle. "We naturally hope that things get better very, very quickly and that it is nothing serious. It came very suddenly. Of course, that really puts a significant damper on the mood."
The result faded into the background. The concern did not.
Another blow for a stretched Dortmund squad
The timing could hardly be worse for BVB.
Losing Karetsas for any spell would hit a squad already patched together in key areas. New signing Giannis Konstantelias had barely arrived before suffering a torn cruciate ligament on his first Bundesliga appearance against Hamburger SV on the opening matchday. He faces a long lay-off.
Dortmund reacted late in the transfer window, pulling Ethan Nwaneri in on loan from Arsenal as cover. On Tuesday night, it was Nwaneri who stepped in for Karetsas after the collapse.
The problems do not stop in attack. In the chaotic, high-intensity clash with Villarreal, coach Niko Kovac was forced into three defensive changes: Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Filippo Mane all had to come off with issues.
Ramy Bensebaini remains another concern. The defender is still struggling with a bruised ribcage and would not have been available in any case, suspended after his second yellow-red card in the defeat at Atalanta Bergamo (1-4) back in February.
Dortmund left the stadium with three points, a statement win and a growing list of questions. The biggest one hangs over an 18-year-old forward and how quickly he can safely return.
