- Nico Schlotterbeck suffered a foot injury during Germany training ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Serbia and will need an MRI
- Julian Ryerson was forced off in the 66th minute of Norway’s UEFA Nations League game against Portugal on Sunday after a collision with Francisco Conceição
- Borussia Dortmund are short of natural right-back cover after sending Yan Couto on loan to Como during the summer
Schlotterbeck suffers fresh setback with Germany
Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck has sustained another injury while training with Germany before their UEFA Nations League fixture against Serbia, according to Sky Germany. The defender went down on the training pitch and was seen covering his face.
Schlotterbeck’s foot injury will require an MRI. Dr. Jochen Hahne examined the problem closely after the incident.
This is the exact moment Schlotterbeck hurt his ankle during a 'fun competitive drill' in the warm-up before the final training session in Herzogenaurach. The players had to dribble around slalom poles in four different groups. Schlotterbeck lost control of the ball and veered… https://t.co/dnzU3Oa4kp pic.twitter.com/YrZxH5Ny86
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) September 30, 2026
The setback comes shortly after Schlotterbeck had returned from an injury picked up at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was withdrawn during Germany’s group stage match against Ivory Coast and subsequently missed a couple of months. His comeback came in Borussia Dortmund’s 3-0 victory over Paderborn, where he played 77 minutes, before completing the full 90 minutes against Stuttgart the following week.
After being selected by Jürgen Klopp for the national team, Schlotterbeck also appeared in Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.
It has not yet been confirmed how long this latest injury will keep him out of action.
Ryerson injury adds to Dortmund’s defensive concerns
Borussia Dortmund are also waiting on the fitness of 28-year-old right-back Julian Ryerson, who was injured while playing for Norway in their UEFA Nations League match against Portugal on Sunday. Ryerson left the pitch in the 66th minute following a collision with Francisco Conceição.
His injury is a significant issue for Dortmund because the first-team squad does not currently include a natural replacement at right-back. The Black and Yellows allowed Brazilian right-back Yan Couto to join Como on loan during the summer.
Speaking recently to Ruhr Nachrichten, BVB sporting director Nils Ole Book said: “Yes, we are certainly not overly well-stocked in terms of squad depth at the moment.”
He further added: “That’s why a lot is possible. However, it could also be that we first need to see a departure before making another signing.”
Right-back options and transfer context
Dortmund were linked for a sustained period during the summer with Héctor Fort, but the 20-year-old eventually moved to Spanish club Real Sociedad.
If Ryerson is unavailable, one possible solution would be for left-back Daniel Svensson to move across to the right side.
