Inter and Manchester United remain interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha

Yan Couto had to be stretchered off following a horror tackle from an Essen player in the first round of DFB-Pokal, but there’s good news for Borussia Dortmund.

Borussia Dortmund breathed a sigh of relief following a worrying moment in their narrow 1–0 DFB-Pokal victory over Rot-Weiss Essen. In stoppage time, Essen’s Kelsey Owusu caught Couto on the knee with an outstretched leg, leaving the Brazilian full-back writhing in pain and forcing him to be stretchered off the pitch. The challenge sparked immediate concern on the Dortmund bench, raising fears of a serious injury.

However, there was positive news for Die Schwarzgelben on Tuesday. According to kicker, medical tests have confirmed that Couto escaped any ligament damage and has only suffered a painful knee contusion. With a bit of luck and a smooth recovery, the 23-year-old could be in contention for Saturday’s Bundesliga opener against St. Pauli.

Dortmund’s defensive concerns may ease ahead of the Bundesliga opener. Julian Ryerson is expected to return from a calf injury, and Couto could also be fit. While central options remain limited due to injuries to the likes of Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck, youngster Filippo Mane impressed in the DFB-Pokal first round and is likely to start against St. Pauli.