Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can sustained a potentially serious knee injury during Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich, a 3-2 defeat that significantly damages Dortmund’s title aspirations. Can was forced off in the 38th minute after a collision with Konrad Laimer, initially attempting to play through the pain before being substituted at halftime for Ramy Bensebaini.
The injury casts a shadow over Dortmund’s season, with initial assessments suggesting a possible cruciate ligament tear. Dortmund coach Niko Kovac described the initial medical feedback as “not good,” adding that Can “also heard something” in his knee. A definitive diagnosis is expected following an MRI scan on Sunday, according to reports.
“So, as it looks, we’ve also lost our captain,” teammate Nico Schlotterbeck said after the match, expressing concern over the severity of the injury. Kovac echoed this sentiment, stating that the injury represents “a really hard blow for us.”
The defeat to Bayern leaves Dortmund eleven points behind the league leaders with ten matches remaining, effectively ending their challenge for the Bundesliga title. The loss also comes after Dortmund’s recent elimination from the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal, leaving them with limited objectives for the remainder of the season.
Can’s potential absence is further complicated by the fact that his contract with Borussia Dortmund expires this summer. Should the injury prove to be long-term, it could jeopardize any potential contract extension negotiations. Kovac noted the timing of the injury, suggesting it could have been Can’s last appearance for the club.
This is the second significant injury setback for Can this season, having previously missed the start of the campaign due to adductor problems. He only made his seasonal debut in early November.
Bayern Munich secured the victory with goals from Harry Kane (54th minute, 70th minute penalty) and Joshua Kimmich (83rd minute), overcoming an earlier goal from Nico Schlotterbeck (26th minute) and a late strike from Daniel Svensson (83rd minute). The result strengthens Bayern’s position at the top of the Bundesliga table.
