Dortmund Ask Greece to Limit Karetsas Workload After Injury Concerns

Borussia Dortmund have asked Greece to manage Konstantinos Karetsas carefully during the international window, with the 18-year-old facing a rapid return to Bundesliga action after recent injury problems.

Key takeaways

• Dortmund have approached the Greek federation over Karetsas’ workload during the Nations League schedule.
• The teenager has started each of Greece’s three matches in the current campaign.
• He completed 90 minutes in Greece’s landmark win over Germany.
• Greece coach Ivan Ivanovic has said there will be no special arrangements for club requests.
• Dortmund are due to play Werder Bremen on Friday, five days after Greece finish their international fixtures.

Dortmund seek caution after injury return

The Bundesliga club’s concern is centred on the physical demands placed on Karetsas, who has become an important figure for both Dortmund and Greece despite his age. He has only recently returned from an injury absence, and the club want to avoid a setback caused by excessive minutes or insufficient recovery.

Dortmund have requested that Greece use the midfielder with restraint rather than placing an unusually heavy burden on him during the current camp. The club’s position reflects the limited time available before their domestic commitments resume.

After Greece conclude their international programme, Karetsas will have only five days before Dortmund host Werder Bremen in a Friday-night Bundesliga fixture. That turnaround leaves little opportunity for recovery, travel and preparation in Westphalia.

Karetsas has nevertheless been ever-present for Greece in the Nations League so far. He began all three previous fixtures and stayed on for the entire match in the side’s historic victory against Germany, underlining his growing status within the national-team group.

Ivanovic rejects special treatment

Greece head coach Ivan Ivanovic has acknowledged that clubs and national associations regularly discuss players’ fitness, but made clear that his selection decisions will not include exceptions requested by employers.

“Federations speak with European clubs every week,” Ivanovic said. “Since I became coach, no European club has asked us for special treatment. Every player also wants to represent his national team. While I am coach, there will be no exceptions.”

Ivanovic is now preparing Greece for Sunday’s return meeting with Germany in Thessaloniki. Karetsas is expected to remain in the starting line-up despite Dortmund’s concerns, with the teenager viewed as a central player in the Greek side after his strong Nations League involvement.

The situation leaves Dortmund balancing their satisfaction at Karetsas’ international progress with the need to have him fit for the meeting with Werder Bremen. Their request has been delivered, but Greece appear set to retain full control over his use in the decisive days of the international break.