Bleak diagnosis for BVB: Schlotterbeck set for long lay-off | OneFootball

After suffering a torn medial ligament, Nico Schlotterbeck is facing a layoff of several months. An expert has given a grim prognosis for the BVB defender’s recovery time.

Borussia Dortmund will likely have to prepare for a lengthy absence for Nico Schlotterbeck. The center-back suffered a torn medial ligament in his left ankle during the German national team’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast and is expected to be unavailable to BVB for several months.

According to Professor Christian Lüring, an orthopedic and trauma surgeon at Dortmund Hospital, a long enforced break is to be expected. “That’s the minimum you have to expect,” the doctor told Ruhr Nachrichten, referring to an absence of three months. First, the injury must heal completely. To allow that, the affected ankle will need to be stabilized for around six weeks with a brace or splint.

Only after that can the workload be increased again step by step. That is why a return to the pitch after about three months at the earliest appears realistic. At least there is a small glimmer of hope: Schlotterbeck was initially able to continue playing after the injury. For Lüring, that is a positive sign. “That suggests the injury is not as severe as it could have been,” the expert said.

When will Nico Schlotterbeck make his BVB comeback?

Even so, the injury has major consequences for Borussia Dortmund. Schlotterbeck will miss the entire pre-season. An appearance in the Supercup against Bayern Munich as well as the Bundesliga opener is also considered out of the question. At present, a comeback in a BVB shirt only looks realistic after the international break at the end of September.

Photo: IMAGO

Despite his World Cup exit, the defender will not return to Dortmund for the time being. Instead, the 26-year-old will remain with the Germany squad in the USA to continue supporting the team. Sporting director Rudi Völler said: “He will support the team and help lead his teammates, also for the team spirit.”

Brother Keven Schlotterbeck reacted especially emotionally to the serious injury. The FC Augsburg professional, who watched the match live in the stadium, told MagentaTV: “It hurts me infinitely that the World Cup is over for him.” He later added: “I know Nico is a tough guy. The fact that he didn’t get up right away also makes it not so easy for his big brother.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.