Borussia Dortmund lose Giannis Konstantelias to cruciate ligament injury

Giannis Konstantelias will be out for several months after suffering a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee during Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 Bundesliga win over Hamburg.

The 23-year-old Greece international sustained the injury in his first Bundesliga appearance for the club since joining from PAOK earlier this month in a reported 30m-euro transfer.

Konstantelias had made an immediate impression against Hamburg, scoring Dortmund’s second goal before being forced off early in the second half. He was unable to leave the field without assistance, prompting concerns from head coach Niko Kovac after the final whistle.

Those fears were confirmed when the midfielder underwent further medical examinations.

“Giannis Konstantelias has suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be sidelined for several months,” Dortmund said in a statement on social media.

The injury represents a major setback for Dortmund and Konstantelias after the player made such a promising start to his career in Germany. His goal had helped secure victory in his first Bundesliga match for the club, but he will now face an extended period on the sidelines.

Kovac had indicated after Saturday’s match that Dortmund were worried about the severity of the injury. The club’s subsequent announcement confirmed that the Greece international had suffered one of the most serious injuries a footballer can sustain.

Konstantelias joined Dortmund from Greek club PAOK earlier in August in a deal reportedly worth 30 million euros. His transfer had already attracted significant attention in Greece, with PAOK supporters protesting against the move.

PAOK ultras had previously intervened in an attempt to prevent Konstantelias from joining Bundesliga side Stuttgart. Despite that opposition, the midfielder eventually completed his move to Dortmund and began his new career with a goal in his first league appearance.

Dortmund must now prepare for their next fixture without their new signing. They face Hamburg-Eimsbutteler Ballspiel-Club in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday at Professor-Reinmuller-Platz.

The match will be Dortmund’s first since Konstantelias’ injury and comes as the club attempts to build on its Bundesliga victory while adapting to the loss of a player who had quickly established himself as an important attacking presence.