Borussia Dortmund Face Early Season Setbacks with Key Defenders Out

Key Injuries Impact Squad Depth

Borussia Dortmund will kick off the new campaign without two central defenders, leaving the back line stretched thin for the opening weeks. Nico Schlotterbeck, who suffered an ankle injury while representing Germany at the World Cup, is expected to miss at least late September. Captain Emre Can’s recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture will take even longer, compounding the shortage of experienced options. The club’s managing director, Lars Ricken, has acknowledged that patience is needed as the squad prepares for pre‑season training.

Dortmund’s Transfer Activity and Outlook

Management is being selective in this window, aiming for a few high‑quality signings rather than quick fixes. Recent arrivals include 18‑year‑old Kaua Prates from Brazil, Justin Lerma from Ecuador and 19‑year‑old centre back Joane Gadou from RB Salzburg. Ricken stressed that the goal is to improve the squad permanently, not to rack up short‑term applause that could backfire by November. Media reports link the team to Belgium‑based youngster Konstantinos Karetsas, 18, as a potential replacement for Julian Brandt, whose contract ended.

What It Means for the Upcoming Season

Dortmund finished last term a distant second to Bayern Munich but secured 73 points, the best total since 2019, marking a solid rebound after a fourth‑place finish in 2024‑25. The club’s ambition is to take the next step, though director Ricken stops short of calling for a league title. The first competitive fixture is the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against double winners Bayern on August 22, followed by a Bundesliga opener against SV Hamburg a week later. With a mix of academy prospects and cautious signings, the squad’s cohesion will be tested early.

Past Glory vs Current Ambitions

The Black and Yellows last lifted the Bundesliga trophy in 2012 under Jürgen Klopp, a season that also delivered a domestic double. That era stands in contrast to the present rebuilding phase, yet the club remains focused on incremental progress. Expectations will rest on teenage signings and the development of homegrown talent, while established players like Jobe Bellingham, Carney Chukwuemeka and Fábio Silva must deliver the next level of performance. Ricken’s confidence that the squad will be stronger by the end of the transfer window underscores a measured but optimistic approach to the season ahead.