Borussia Dortmund have made a striking decision ahead of next week's Champions League campaign, excluding club captain Emre Can from their 25-man squad list. The 32-year-old defender remains sidelined following a serious cruciate ligament rupture suffered in early March during a Bundesliga clash against Bayern Munich, with no confirmed return date.
The omission raises eyebrows given Can's expected comeback within the first half of the season. Sporting director Ole Book acknowledged the uncertainty in his recent comments: "Even for very experienced medics and our rehab coaches, it is very difficult to look into the future. I see both of them every day fully motivated in rehab." Book was referring to Can and fellow defensive leader Nico Schlotterbeck (26), who is also recovering from injury. Both players have been contributing to team culture during their rehabilitation despite their absence from competition.
New Signings Also Excluded
Alongside Can, Giannis Konstantelias (23) and Justin Lerma (18) have been left off the European squad sheet. Konstantelias faced his own setback with a cruciate ligament rupture this past weekend, making his exclusion expected. Lerma, however, requires more time to integrate. Head coach Niko Kovac explained the teenage signing's situation: "He still needs time and that is completely normal. There are language difficulties. If you look at him, he is also still a little slight, so we need to put a bit of weight on him or rather work on his fitness."
However, the path to European competition is not entirely closed for excluded players. Under UEFA regulations, clubs advancing to the knockout phase can register up to three additional players in January, providing a potential lifeline for injured or developing talent. On Dortmund's B list—reserved for academy graduates and young talent—the club named Jan Luca Riedl (17), Miguel Adje (18), Luca Reggiani (18), Samuele Inacio (18), and Mathis Albert (17).
Tough League Phase Awaits
Dortmund's campaign begins at home against Villarreal, with Arsenal and Inter Milan also among their fixtures in the revamped league phase format. The German club's defensive depth will be tested immediately without their captain's experience available, making their ability to manage without Can and Schlotterbeck crucial to their European ambitions this season.
