German Football: Big Surprise at Borussia Dortmund Involving Emre Can

In the lead-up to the 2026/26 Champions League, Borussia Dortmund has just announced their 25-man squad list for the group stage, and the biggest exclusion is none other than veteran captain Emre Can. The decision surprised the media, but looking closely at the club's injury picture, it is a perfectly logical procedural move. The story began in March this year, when Emre Can suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture during a match against Bayern Munich. To this day, the 32-year-old still has no confirmed return date. What's notable is that Can is not merely a defensive midfielder — he is also a hybrid center-back and defensive leader of Dortmund, one of the most important voices in the dressing room. The problem becomes more serious when Nico Schlotterbeck, the 26-year-old key center-back, is also on the injury list. The simultaneous absence of the team's two most experienced defensive players has left a huge void in Dortmund's backline ahead of the Champions League. Sporting director Ole Book admitted both are 'leaders' who contribute to the group even during rehabilitation. However, this so-called 'surprise' is essentially a media narrative construct. According to UEFA regulations, clubs are allowed to register up to three new players in January for the knockout round. This means Dortmund can wait, reassess Can's recovery before committing a squad slot. Excluding a seriously injured player with no return date is a sound risk-management decision, not a tactical shock. Head coach Niko Kovac will face a difficult personnel puzzle. Without Can, Dortmund's defensive midfield will likely rely on Felix Nmecha, Pascal Groß, or pushing a center-back up into midfield. Notably, the B-list includes five young players — Riedl (17), Adje (18), Reggiani (18), Inacio (18) and Albert (17) — a signal that Kovac may have to lean on the academy in emergencies. The story also carries another sadness. New signing Giannis Konstantelias, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder who just arrived from PAOK (Greece), also suffered an ACL rupture over the weekend. According to expert analysis, his transfer fee likely falls in the €10–20 million range — an investment impaired in its first season, though player injury insurance policies may partially offset wage costs. Meanwhile, 18-year-old new signing Justin Lerma was also excluded from the A-list. Coach Kovac noted the player is still 'a little slight' physically and faces language difficulties — a long-term project rather than an immediate first-team addition. Financially, excluding Can from the Champions League squad does not reduce his wage obligation. The 32-year-old with a serious knee injury has likely seen his market value depreciate significantly. However, many player contracts include Champions League appearance bonuses — excluding Can eliminates these potential payments, which could be a deliberate cost-control measure by the club. Dortmund's Champions League schedule is also demanding: opening at home against Villarreal, then facing Arsenal and Inter Milan. The opener against Villarreal is the clearest winning opportunity, but Arsenal and Inter represent Europe's top tier. Under the new 36-team format, the top 8 advance directly while positions 9–24 enter a playoff round — Dortmund can absorb some losses and still advance. From a governance perspective, Dortmund's decision fully complies with UEFA regulations. The A-list (maximum 25 players) and B-list (players born on/after 1 January 2026, at the club at least 2 years after their 15th birthday) are both correctly applied. The January registration rule is the key governance mechanism making this decision safe. However, public pressure is real. The media's 'surprise' framing could amplify pressure on Kovac. If Dortmund start poorly in the Champions League, the story will quickly shift from 'surprise decision' to 'why was the squad so thin?' — a perfectly predictable narrative evolution. The leadership vacuum in the dressing room is the biggest concern. Both Can and Schlotterbeck were confirmed by the sporting director as 'leaders'. Their absence on the pitch means other core players must shoulder the leadership role in high-pressure matches — no small challenge for the Ruhr club. One tactical blind spot the crowd misses: Dortmund's remaining defensive midfield options are unproven at Champions League level. With Can out, the club's A-list midfield will likely feature players who have not consistently performed at elite European level. The January registration window creates a natural 'review point' for Can's recovery — if he returns to fitness by December, Dortmund can register him for the knockout round without wasting a squad slot during the group stage. Where could I be wrong? Perhaps Can recovers faster than expected, or Dortmund finds an effective internal defensive solution. But based on my experience following matches over nearly five decades, when a team loses both defensive pillars simultaneously before a tough schedule, the risk is very real. The real question is not 'why was Can excluded' — the answer is already clear. The question worth asking is: with a patched-up backline and an expensive new signing sidelined for the season, does Dortmund have enough anchors to weather the early-season storm? When the whole press room falls silent before that question, I know I have touched the right spot. The stadium may not be full yet, but the hearts of thousands of Dortmund fans are beating in a single rhythm of anticipation.