Dortmund’s Champions League opener marred by Karetsas health scare
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 Champions League win over Villarreal has been overshadowed by a worrying health scare for 18-year-old midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, who collapsed with circulatory problems and was taken to hospital for tests. Dortmund say Karetsas is "doing well under the circumstances," but the incident has raised fresh concern over player welfare at the start of the European campaign.
Dortmund’s Champions League win over Villarreal overshadowed by Karetsas health scare
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 victory over Villarreal to open their Champions League league-stage campaign has been overshadowed by serious concern for Konstantinos Karetsas, after the teenager collapsed on the pitch with circulatory problems and was taken to hospital for further tests.
Karetsas collapses and is taken to hospital
The incident occurred in the first half of Dortmund’s home win over Villarreal, with Karetsas going to ground after playing a pass and requiring immediate treatment on the field.
According to Dortmund’s statement reported by the BBC, the 18-year-old Greece midfielder "had to leave the field due to circulatory problems" and was substituted in the 27th minute after receiving medical attention.
"Konstantinos Karetsas had to leave the field due to circulatory problems," said Dortmund in a statement. "Kosta is doing well under the circumstances and is on his way to the hospital for further tests." (BBC Sport)
German agency Picture Alliance reports that Karetsas, described as a Greek newcomer, had to be carried off on a stretcher in front of 77,500 fans at Dortmund’s stadium due to the same circulatory issue.
Dortmund’s update that he is "doing well under the circumstances" but undergoing hospital tests underlines both the seriousness of the scare and the club’s attempt to reassure supporters.
A dramatic 3-2 win takes a back seat
On the field, Dortmund edged Villarreal in a hard-fought 3-2 (0-0 at half-time) win, securing an important opening victory in the Champions League’s new league phase, as described by Picture Alliance.
The match itself, played in front of a packed home crowd, delivered the kind of drama expected from Champions League nights, but the result was quickly framed by both outlets as secondary to the concern for Karetsas.
- BBC Sport’s live coverage of the game highlighted the health scare as one of the key events from Dortmund’s win over Villarreal.
- Picture Alliance led its report by noting that the victory was achieved "with difficulty" and that the club is now "worried about Karetsas", emphasising how the incident overshadowed the sporting outcome.
Wider context: player welfare in focus
While Dortmund have not yet provided a detailed medical diagnosis beyond describing circulatory problems and confirming hospital tests, the incident adds to ongoing concerns around player welfare and the physical demands at the elite level.
The scare comes in the early stages of the 2026-27 Champions League, with clubs already juggling intense fixture lists across domestic and European competitions. Karetsas, already capped multiple times for Greece despite his age according to BBC’s report, is an example of a young player carrying significant responsibility at both club and international level.
For Dortmund, the immediate priority is the midfielder’s health and the outcome of hospital examinations. The club’s initial communication suggests cautious optimism, but until further updates arrive, their opening-night win over Villarreal will be remembered as much for the distressing scenes involving Karetsas as for the scoreline.