Overview

• Bethke sustained a posterior thigh muscle-tendon tear after getting stuck in the turf during warmup before the DFB-Pokal tie against Hannover 96.
• Cottbus confirmed a months-long absence for the 22-year-old and said a comeback in 2025 is unlikely to happen this calendar year.
• He will receive care from a specialist in Berlin as the club pledges full support following the severe setback, coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz said.
• Wollitz said the sporting department will assess options and did not rule out signing another goalkeeper.
• Backup Alexander Sebald stepped in, saved a penalty from Boris Tomiak, and helped secure a 1-0 upset over Hannover.