Another injury blow for Borussia Dortmund as Nico Schlotterbeck is stretchered off after Barcelona clash | OneFootball

Nico Schlotterbeck was forced off on a stretcher after suffering an ankle injury during Borussia Dortmund's 3-2 defeat to FC Barcelona.

Borussia Dortmund may well have to make do without any fit centre-backs for their final two games of 2024 after Nico Schlotterbeck picked up a serious looking ankle injury during the closing stages of the team's 3-2 defeat to FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Nico Schlotterbeck suffers ankle injury during Barcelona clash

Looking to score an equaliser with a header at the end of a free-kick in the final moments of the game, Schlotterbeck seemingly twisted his ankle while landing. He received treatment from the BVB doctors for a few minutes after the final whistle before leaving the field on a stretcher.

It remains to be seen just how serious the injury is or how long Schlotterbeck will have to spend on the sidelines. The 25 year old has been ever-present for Borussia Dortmund this season and delivered another solid performance against Barcelona, keeping Robert Lewandowski at bay.

Borussia Dortmund were already without Niklas Süle and Waldemar Anton on Wednesday, with the former facing months on the sidelines after sustaining a serious ankle injury.

With Schlotterbeck now joining the injury list, it looks likely that Borussia Dortmund will go into their final two Bundesliga matches of 2024 without any fit senior centre-backs in their ranks.

Emre Can partnered Nico Schlotterbeck at centre-back on Wednesday, and could be joined there by Ramy Bensebaini against TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday. Another option could be U-23s defender Yannik Lührs.