DORTMUND (dpa-AFX) - Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can will be sidelined for several months and will therefore miss the upcoming Football World Cup. The 32-year-old suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Bundesliga top match against FC Bayern, BVB announced the day after their 2-3 defeat. "Emre's injury is extremely bitter. Not just for him, but for all of us," Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl was quoted as saying.
Head coach Niko Kovac had already reported shortly after the match that the team doctor "did not have a good feeling" during the examination of the midfielder and had already feared a lengthy absence. "This would be another really hard blow for us," Kovac said.
Can initially wanted to continue playing
The Dortmund captain's contract expires at the end of the season. Can injured his left knee towards the end of the first half, but the national team player initially refused to be substituted and returned to the field.
"He is our captain, always puts himself at the service of the team, and is an important part of our club. Emre will receive every support from us over the coming months to ensure he makes a full recovery," sporting director Kehl assured./jso/DP/he
