Borussia Dortmund breathe sigh of relief as Yan Couto avoids serious injury after heavy challenge in DFB-Pokal clash

Borussia Dortmund breathed a sigh of relief following a worrying moment in their narrow 1–0 DFB-Pokal victory over Rot-Weiss Essen. In stoppage time, Essen’s Kelsey Owusu caught Couto on the knee with an outstretched leg, leaving the Brazilian full-back writhing in pain and forcing him to be stretchered off the pitch. The challenge sparked immediate concern on the Dortmund bench, raising fears of a serious injury. 

However, there was positive news for Die Schwarzgelben on Tuesday. According to kicker, medical tests have confirmed that Couto escaped any ligament damage and has only suffered a painful knee contusion. With a bit of luck and a smooth recovery, the 23-year-old could be in contention for Saturday’s Bundesliga opener against St. Pauli. 

Dortmund’s defensive concerns may ease ahead of the Bundesliga opener. Julian Ryerson is expected to return from a calf injury, and Couto could also be fit. While central options remain limited due to injuries to the likes of Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck, youngster Filippo Mane impressed in the DFB-Pokal first round and is likely to start against St. Pauli.  

Niko Kovac's troops will play two Bundesliga games this month, before the international break. On Saturday, they will face St. Pauli, before locking horns with Union Berlin on August 31.