Konstantinos Karetsas Injured During Champions League Match

Konstantinos Karetsas’ Champions League night ended in distressing fashion, with the Borussia Dortmund teenager leaving the pitch on a stretcher during the first half of their clash with Villarreal.

The 18-year-old had just released a pass when he immediately signalled to the bench, raised his hand and sank to the turf. Medical staff rushed on and worked on him for several minutes, concentrating on his upper body as the stadium fell quiet. He was eventually carried off and taken straight down the tunnel.

Ethan Nwaneri came on in the 27th minute to replace him.

Dortmund later confirmed that Karetsas’ withdrawal was “due to circulation problems” and that he had been taken to hospital for further examinations. The club added that he “is doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances.”

The incident followed a slightly disrupted build-up for the youngster. Karetsas had not taken part in full training with the rest of the squad on the eve of the game, instead working in the gym. Head coach Niko Kovač downplayed that decision in his pre-match press conference, describing it as a normal variation in the team’s preparation.

Karetsas only arrived at Dortmund this summer from Genk, part of a double move that also brought in compatriot Giannis Konstantelias. That plan has already been hit hard: Konstantelias suffered an ACL tear in late August, prompting the Bundesliga side to secure Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal to bolster their attacking options.

On the night, Dortmund managed to steady themselves after the early scare. A second-half brace from Serhou Guirassy drove them to a 3-2 win over the La Liga side.

For Karetsas and Dortmund, though, the real verdict will come not from the scoreline, but from the hospital tests that now shape the next steps of a hugely promising career.