😢 In tears as he’s subbed off, BVB star forced off injured

The significance of the German Klassiker became more than clear already in the first half. The winner not only gains a lot of prestige, but today it’s also about the question of whether the championship has already been all but decided in favor of Bayern, or if BVB might still have a say in the end. 

Above all, the Dortmund players were aggressive and fired up from the very first second, determined to make things as difficult as possible for the record champions. Their combative approach paid off when Nico Schlotterbeck headed in the lead after a free kick in the 26th minute, but it also took its first toll:

Captain Emre Can had to be substituted shortly before halftime and even shed a few tears in the process.

📸 INA FASSBENDER - AFP or licensors

Much earlier in the game, after losing the ball, he slipped awkwardly and grabbed his knee. After a brief pause, he initially got back up and fought through it—until just before the halftime break. 

In the 40th minute, he was back on the ground after being slightly pushed by Laimer during a run and falling. Clearly in significant pain, likely in his left knee, Can limped back onto the field and still wanted to stick to the idea of supporting his team throughout the Klassiker. Although the captain’s armband had already been passed on and his replacement Bensebaini was ready to come on, the Dortmund player signaled that he didn’t need to be substituted after all. 

A few minutes later, he himself had to admit that all efforts were in vain. In the 5th minute of first-half stoppage time, he had to come off, replaced by Ramy Bensebaini. 

Clearly a bitter moment for Can, who left the field in tears. 

What do you think—will his absence be noticeable after halftime? Or can the Kovac team hold their own against Munich even without Can?

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.