When Borussia Dortmund return to action, two weeks from today, with a home league fixture against Werder Bremen, they’ll do so with four injury concerns: Emre Can, Justin Lerna, Giannis Konstantelias and Filippo Mane. Overall, it’s not a bad position to be in, especially when you consider the fact that they currently sit top of the Bundesliga table. Maybe this is the year? Perhaps Dortmund can finally end their league title drought, which stretches back to 2011-12, when Jurgen Klopp (currently the German national team head coach) led them to glory.
Emre Can and Giannis Konstantelias
We grouped these two together because both are longer-term injury absentees, due to anterior cruciate ligament tears. Both will be sidelined for awhile yet, with Can possibly being in contention to feature again in December.
As for Konstantelias, his ACL injury occurred much more recently, so his timeline puts him into a 2027 return. And it would be mid-2027 too. Can should feature again in mid-season, Giannis not until late in the season.
Justin Lerna
The youngster is battling a muscular injury and a complicated eligibility scenario, given the rules and regulations. He may not really be a part of the club’s overall plans this season, and a January transfer window loan move is possible.
Filippo Mane
Batlting a right thigh strain, he’s ruled out for all of the international break, but the FIFA window comes at a good time for him. He may be back soon after play resumes.
Squad Injury Updates: September/October International Break
Real Madrid Liverpool FC Chelsea Part 1 Chelsea Part 2 Manchester United Arsenal Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur Everton Aston Villa Part 1 Aston Villa Part 2 FC Barcelona Newcastle United Part 1 Newcastle United Part 2 Newcastle United Part 3 Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund Leeds United
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.