Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck Taken Off on Stretcher After Ankle Twist vs Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund suffered a bitter blow late in their Champions League clash with FC Barcelona when central defender Nico Schlotterbeck was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a serious-looking ankle injury.
The incident occurred in the dying moments of the match, as Schlotterbeck attempted a last-gasp header in an effort to equalize for his side. Though the header went narrowly over the crossbar, it was his landing that proved harmful. He twisted his ankle badly upon landing and immediately clutched his leg in visible pain.
The referee had already blown the final whistle by the time medics sprang into action. Schlotterbeck remained on the turf while being treated, with his distress plain to see. He was eventually stretchered off the pitch, covering his face with his hands.
Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin voiced his concern at the severity of the injury. He described the possible absence of Schlotterbeck as “a complete disaster” for the team. With fellow centre-backs already sidelined — including Niklas Süle (a long-term absence) and Waldemar Anton — the club’s defensive depth was already under serious strain.
The loss itself was narrow: Barcelona edged Dortmund 3-2, thanks in part to late goals from Ferran Torres. For Dortmund, the defeat was especially painful not only because of the result but because of the timing of Schlotterbeck’s injury.
The immediate aftermath was tense. Sahin admitted the visuals looked “ugly” and promised that the club would await a full diagnosis before knowing how long Schlotterbeck may be sidelined. He also spoke about the emotional impact, saying the squad already felt the strain given multiple absences in defence.
For Dortmund, the timing could not have been worse. The squad was already under pressure in the Champions League group stage standings, and injuries to key defenders only increase the urgency for upcoming fixtures.
At the time of the incident, the club was fighting to avoid slipping out of the qualification places, and losing another central defender threatens to derail those ambitions further.
Going forward, all eyes are on the medical staff and upcoming scans to determine the full extent of the damage to Schlotterbeck’s ankle. Depending on the diagnosis, Dortmund may need to shuffle their defence significantly for the rest of the season.
