Schlotterbeck admits playing against Hoffenheim was an “extreme risk”

Despite being forced off against Barcelona in midweek with a nasty-looking injury, Nico Schlotterbeck was able to start against Hoffenheim. Speaking after the game, the defender admitted he took an “extreme risk” by playing.

Nico Schlotterbeck was stretchered off during Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday, and it was later revealed that he had suffered a ligament injury.

It was therefore a huge surprise to see him in the starting line-up for Borussia Dortmund’s 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

“It was an extreme risk,” Schlotterbeck admitted in a post-match interview.

“The physios didn’t necessarily give me the green light, but they said there was a possibility I could play,” the centre-back added.

He ended up playing 90 minutes in what he described as an “unbelievably bad” game from Dortmund.

“That wasn’t good enough. We are Borussia Dortmund, and if we can stay up there in the table by beating Hoffenheim at home, then we have to win,” he fumed.