Concerns surrounding Nico Schlotterbeck were understandably high due to the nature of his injury, but now that a timeline has been reported, does this help alleviate those worries?
Will Borussia Dortmund Still Start the Season Well Without Nico Schlotterbeck?
Nico Schlotterbeck sustained an injury for Germany in their second group game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against the Ivory Coast, forcing him to come off at half-time and ruling him out for the remainder of Germany’s disappointing World Cup run.
Reuters/Kevin SousaIt was then confirmed days after this match that Nico Schlotterbeck had sustained an MCL tear in his left ankle, but no time frame was placed on his recovery. However, reports have since emerged detailing the process of the German defender's recovery and when Borussia Dortmund fans should expect to see him back on the pitch.
What Has Been Reported?
According to BILD, via @LafonateBVB, Nico Schlotterbeck is set to be back fully fit and available for selection by the middle of September. Between now and then, however, there will be a lengthy rehab over the next 4-6 weeks. Nico Schlotterbeck will be forced to wear a special protective boot and will only be able to focus on upper-body strength training.
REUTERS/Peter CziborraDue to this, Borussia Dortmund do not see the point in Nico Schlotterbeck travelling to Japan for the club's pre-season training camp from July 26th to August 2nd, and he will instead stay in Dortmund to continue his rehabilitation.
What Games Will The German International Miss?
So if we run with the theory that he will not return until perhaps after the September international break, which falls in mid-September, Nico Schlotterbeck will miss several key games.
The big one will be the German Super Cup final against Bayern Munich on August 22nd. Additionally, he will miss games against Hamburger SV on the opening day of the Bundesliga season, as well as further games against Hoffenheim, Paderborn and VfB Stuttgart.
Nico Schlotterbeck will also miss the first round of the DFB Pokal, but he may have been rested for this game anyway, given it is against a side in the 5th tier of German football.
But with the international break falling around the time he should be back fully fit, it may allow Nico Schlotterbeck extra time to get up to speed if he isn't called up for international duty by the likely incoming manager and former BVB legend, Jürgen Klopp.
REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File PhotoA call-up would be seen as very unlikely given he won't have played any games since June 20th, and neither Klopp nor Borussia Dortmund will be very keen on taking any risks with the defender.
Author's Verdict
This timeline of recovery for Borussia Dortmund's Star defender isn't as bad as it could have been. The time of year in which he sustained the injury has significantly helped Dortmund here due to most of Nico Schlotterbeck's recovery period being during the off-season.
Furthermore, with the defender only missing a handful of competitive games, overall Dortmund and Nico Schlotterbeck will consider themselves slightly fortunate with how this injury has played out.
