Borussia Dortmund enter the international break in good health, both on the pitch and off it, after a week that tested the club's nerves before delivering genuine relief. The collapse of 18-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas during the Champions League opener against Villarreal had alarmed everyone inside Signal Iduna Park, but coach Niko Kovac confirmed on matchday three that all medical checks came back clear. Karetsas had already completed an individual training session by Saturday, and his mother told Het Laatste Nieuws that dehydration was the cause, a diagnosis that rules out anything more serious. He could return as soon as the Stuttgart fixture next weekend.

On the pitch, Dortmund look sharp. A 3-0 win over promoted Paderborn made it nine points from three Bundesliga games, lifting them to second in the table. Nico Schlotterbeck returned from an 84-day injury absence and was outstanding, while Felix Nmecha came off the bench to score twice, including a spectacular overhead kick. Joey Veerman, signed from PSV Eindhoven for around 22 million euros, continues to pull the strings in midfield and has quickly established himself as the creative hub the squad was missing.

The squad still carries injury concerns. Giannis Konstantelias, who tore his cruciate ligament on the opening day, had surgery and faces months on the sidelines. Filippo Mane is also out until after the international break. Dortmund travel to Stuttgart on September 19, knowing a win there would keep them firmly in the early title conversation.