Dortmund asks for leniency, Jovanovic rejects the request
The 18‑year‑old Konstantinos Karetsas is at the centre, while Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic responds to reports of an alleged request from Borussia Dortmund. Both sides emphasise the importance of the young attacking player in the ongoing international break.
According to reports, Borussia Dortmund expressed to the Greek federation a wish to spare Karetsas in today’s match against the DFB selection. The club wanted to bench the 18‑year‑old completely to reduce his workload.
Jovanovic rejects BVB request
At a press conference on Saturday, Jovanovic appeared slightly annoyed and stressed that there was no special communication with a European club. He said: “We are in weekly contact with all teams for which our players play – with a two‑way flow of information.”
The Greek coach firmly dismissed the Sky report: “Since I became national coach here, there has not been any club in Europe that has demanded a special treatment from us.” He called the reports exaggerated, as the Italian source quoted.
Even if Dortmund had asked for a break, Jovanovic stressed that he would not comply. Special requests from clubs would not constitute an exception, he explained.
Due to the injury‑related absence of Christos Tzolis, Karetsas is particularly important in the second leg against the DFB selection. In the first leg of the previous week, the attacking player played the full 90 minutes and was instrumental in Greece’s first victory over Germany.
At Borussia Dortmund, Karetsas was used cautiously before the international break. In September, he collapsed in the Champions League clash against FC Villarreal (3‑2) due to circulatory problems. His mother told the Belgian that dehydration was the cause; BVB sporting director Lars Ricken denied that statement.
Dortmund does not want to take any risk and will continue to manage the talent’s workload. At the same time, Nico Schlotterbeck and Julian Ryerson, both BVB professionals, have already been injured with their national teams, which further explains the Westphalian’s caution.