Dortmund chief reveals Karetsas could not speak after Champions League stretcher scare

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Nils-Ole Book has revealed that Konstantinos Karetsas was unable to speak after being stretchered off during the club’s UEFA Champions League match against Villarreal at Westfalenstadion. The 18-year-old, making his Champions League debut, sat down on the pitch midway through the first half, covered his face with both hands, and was carried off to applause from the crowd. Dortmund described the issue as circulatory problems and confirmed he was taken to hospital for further examinations.

Book spoke after the final whistle, telling reporters: “He was substituted due to circulatory problems. It came very suddenly, he sat down and was taken to the hospital for further examinations, where he is now. And of course we’ll wait and see. Of course, that clouds the mood significantly.”

He added: “I went out with him, but he wasn’t able to speak directly at that moment. Of course, we hope that it will get better very, very quickly and that it’s nothing serious. But now, especially after the game, we don’t have any new information yet.”

Dortmund’s managing director for sport Lars Ricken was visibly shaken by the incident, describing the situation as “very strange”. He said he initially assumed a muscular problem before the severity became clear. “He didn’t touch his thigh at all and was even carried down on a stretcher,” Ricken said, adding that the hospital tests were intended “to rule out everything in the end.”

Former Dortmund captain Mats Hummels, working as a pundit at the stadium, said the scene left him deeply unsettled. “When the doctors didn’t even look at the legs, but only at the upper body, it sent shivers down my spine,” he said. “We don’t wish such a story on anyone. These are really nasty pictures that we had to see.”

Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel also addressed the incident after the match, reflecting the concern felt throughout the squad.

Karetsas, a summer signing from Belgian club Genk, had been handed his Champions League debut by Dortmund. The club’s statement issued at half-time read: “Konstantinos Karetsas had to leave the field due to circulatory problems. Kosta is doing well under the circumstances and is on his way to the hospital for further tests.”

No further medical update had been released by the time club officials finished speaking post-match.