Kehl says face injury was like Klitschko punches

Published: 07 Dec 2011 - 13:46:53

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Kehl says face injury was like Klitschko punches

Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl has said the kick in the face he suffered in the 3-2 Champions League defeat to Marseille was like taking a punch from both heavyweight boxers the Klitschko brothers.

The 31-year-old was left pole-axed after half an hour of Tuesday's Group F match after taking a boot in the head while competing for the ball with Marseille's Cameroon defender Stephane Mbia, who was booked for the challenge.

The ex-Germany defender had to be carried off and rushed to hospital, but later reported that although he was not seriously injured, he looked like he had fought Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, who are both heavyweight champions.

"First the good news: there is nothing broken and the eye is ok," wrote Kehl on his Facebook page.

"Now the bad news: I look like I have been in a fight against both of the Klitschko brothers at the same time."

News that Kehl is not seriously injured is a boost for Dortmund, who exited the Champions League after the defeat which saw them finish bottom of the group, while Marseille are in the last 16 behind winners Arsenal.

It is the third facial injury Dortmund have suffered in four weeks after midfielder Sven Bender broke his jaw in two places at Arsenal a fortnight ago after defender Neven Subotic fractured a cheek bone at the start of November.