Dortmund's Young Star Karetsas Shines in Friendly, Coach Urges Patience

Borussia Dortmund's 18-year-old Greek attacking midfielder, Konstantinos Karetsas, is rapidly gaining attention, earning applause from the German club's fans during a 2-2 friendly draw against Roma. Karetsas was one of Dortmund's most active players, showcasing his talent and nearly scoring when his shot hit the post. He also played a role in setting up two of Dortmund's goals. Coach Nuri Sahin highlighted Karetsas's confidence with the ball and his capacity to draw defenders, thereby creating opportunities for his teammates. "You could see how confident he is with the ball. It is very important to have a player who can draw one or two opponents to himself and free up the others. He also has very good perception," Sahin stated. Dortmund's sporting director, Ole Buch, also commended Karetsas's performance, noting the energy he brought to the game and the threats he created. Despite the excitement surrounding the young talent, Sahin urged caution, emphasizing that Karetsas still needs time to develop and build stamina for consistent play. "Everyone will continue to be happy with him, but we must be clear: he still needs time. He cannot play 90 minutes every three days, he does not yet have the required endurance," the German coach added, stressing the club's need to manage his development to prevent overexertion and potential injury. The club is pleased with its recent friendly results, including a win against Arsenal and the draw with Roma, particularly noting the team's offensive output. However, improving defensive performance remains a key focus for Sahin.

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You could see how confident he is with the ball. It is very important to have a player who can draw one or two opponents to himself and free up the others. He also has very good perception.