Nico Schlotterbeck Returns to Individual Training After Two-Month Injury Layoff

Borussia Dortmund have received a significant boost with defender Nico Schlotterbeck returning to individual training after more than two months on the sidelines. The 26-year-old centre-back has not played a competitive match since June 20, when he sustained a medial ankle ligament tear during Germany’s second group-stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Côte d’Ivoire.

Schlotterbeck’s return to the training pitch marks a positive step in his recovery, though the club has not set a specific date for his full return to team training or match action. The injury occurred in the first half of Germany’s World Cup fixture, forcing him to miss the remainder of the tournament as well as Dortmund’s pre-season and the opening weeks of the 2026/27 campaign.

Key facts

What the injury meant for Dortmund

Schlotterbeck was a mainstay for Dortmund last season, making 28 Bundesliga appearances as the club finished runners-up. His absence has left a gap in central defence that head coach Niko Kovač has had to manage with alternative options. The defender signed a new contract in April that ties him to Signal Iduna Park until 2031, underscoring his importance to the club’s long-term plans.

Dortmund’s start to the 2026/27 season has been mixed. They lost narrowly to Bayern Munich in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, then opened their Bundesliga campaign with a 2-0 win over Hamburg. A DFB Cup first-round victory over minnows HEBC followed, but the defensive unit has lacked Schlotterbeck’s composure and ball-playing ability from the back.

Upcoming fixtures and Champions League return

BVB travel to Hoffenheim on Bundesliga Matchday 2 this weekend. A week later, on September 8, they host Spain’s Villarreal in their opening fixture of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Schlotterbeck is unlikely to be available for either match, but his return to individual work suggests he could be in contention for later September or early October fixtures, depending on how his ankle responds to increased loading.

What this means for Dortmund fans

For Borussia Dortmund supporters, Schlotterbeck’s progress is welcome news. The defender is one of the club’s most reliable performers and a key figure in Kovač’s system. His ability to play out from the back and read the game at a high level has been missed, especially in matches where Dortmund have needed to build attacks under pressure.

While no comeback date is set, the fact that Schlotterbeck is back on the training ground indicates that his rehabilitation is on track. The club will likely be cautious, given the nature of ligament injuries and the long season ahead, which includes Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League commitments.

Source: Bundesliga – Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck returns to training (https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/nico-schlotterbeck-injury-update-borussia-dortmund-germany-38759)