Borussia Dortmund star, 18, stretchered off pitch and rushed to hospital after worrying scenes in Champions League

BORUSSIA DORTMUND star Kosta Karetsas has been rushed to hospital after being stretchered off the pitch in the first half of the German club’s Champions League opener. Dortmund confirmed the news via their social media pages this evening, with “circulation problems” being the cause. Borussia Dortmund’s new young midfielder Kosta Karetsas has been rushed to hospital Credit: AFP He was stretchered off early in tonight’s clash with Villarreal Credit: AFP Karetsas’ Champions League debut for Dortmund was one to forget as he sat down unchallenged in the 23rd minute. Dortmund initially stayed tight-lipped on the situation saying: “Not what we want to see. Karetsas is stretchered off injured, forcing an early change.” Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Fans watching on TV, the 77,000 home supporters and 39 away ones in the ground understandably had no idea what the problem was for the 18-year-old Greece international. But later on Dortmund finally provided an update on their player. They wrote on X: “Konstantinos Karetsas had to leave the pitch in the game against Villarreal due to circulation problems. “Kosta is doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances, and he is on his way to the hospital for further examinations.” Arsenal man Ethan Nwaneri came on to replace the winger, who adds to Dortmund’s unlucky list of injuries so early in the season. Their other new recruit on the wing, Giannis Konstantelias did his ACL on the Bundesliga opening day, which triggered the emergency signing of Nwaneri on loan from the English champions. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Dortmund fans and the whole football world will be hoping the player recovers quickly. Despite it being goalless at half-time, the German giants took the lead twice in order to sweep aside a tough Villarreal performance. An own-goal from former Chelsea defender Renato Veiga gave the home side the lead early in the second half, before Santiago Mourino equalised soon after. Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy then found himself heavily involved in the closing stages of the clash. He scored two in the space of four minutes to give his side a 3-1 lead late in the game. The 30-year-old then thought he’d help out at the other end too, as he banged in an own-goal to send the 39 Villarreal fans wild. Comment now