Borussia Dortmund suffer a major setback at a crucial point in the season. German defender Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the rest of the campaign due to a knee injury.
Just days before their Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Barcelona on Wednesday, Dortmund confirmed in a statement on Monday that the 25-year-old center-back is out for the remainder of the season. He has been ruled out with a left knee injury that will keep him sidelined for an extended period.
Dortmund’s place in next season’s Champions League remains uncertain. They currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga, five points behind fourth-placed Mainz with six matches remaining.
Last season, Dortmund lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid. This year, they face another Spanish powerhouse in the quarter-finals—Barcelona. Losing a key defender just before such a high-stakes match is a huge blow for the team.
Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl acknowledged the impact of the injury but remained hopeful.
“Nico’s absence is a big blow for us. He’s been consistently impressive this season and is a key part of our squad. We hope he recovers quickly and will give him our full support throughout the process,” said Kehl.
