Stuttgart captain Christian Gentner has club doctor Raymond Best to thank for potentially saving his life, today, after the midfielder was knocked unconscious and left convulsing after a horrific collision with an opponent left him with serious facial injuries.
Gentner's head collided with the knee of Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels during today's Bundesliga clash when the Wolfsburg goalkeeper rushed out to clear the ball.
The horrendous clash between Gentner and Casteels, which was completely accidental, caused Gentner to swallow his tongue, according to Mundo Deportivo, resulting in the 32-year-old suffering convulsions.
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Thankfully, Doctor Best raced onto the pitch to come to Gentner's aid, providing the midfielder with lengthy, life saving treatment.
Gentner suffered multiple facial fractures after the coming together with Casteels, breaking his lower and lateral eye socket, nose and upper jaw as well as suffering a concussion.
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VfB's Sporting Director Michael Reschke said of Gentner's injuries in a statement to the club's official website, "It's a cruel blow for Gente, his family and for us. The most important news though is that he will make a full recovery. We will give Christian all the time he needs to get fully fit again. Finally, we are delighted that we will have our captain back on board again.
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"Christian is enormously important for us both on, as well as off, the pitch. In the four Bundesliga games we've played thus far, he has impressively proven his exceptional qualities.
Stuttgart also released an official statement on the incident, which reads as follows:
"There were just minutes to go in VfB's home clash with VfL Wolfsburg, when Christian Gentner and VfL keeper Koen Casteels collided, leaving the VfB captain floored. Following immediate medical treatment on the pitch, the VfB captain was immediately taken to hospital. Upon arrival, extensive examinations revealed that Christian Gentner had suffered breaks to his lower and lateral eye-socket, his nose and his upper-jaw. The 31-year-old will undergo surgery over the next few days and is epected to make a complete recovery.
"VfB wish our captain and his family all the very best and all the strength they need over the coming days and weeks. We hope you make a speedy recovery and are back amongst your team mates again soon."
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On behalf of everyone at SPORTbible, we hope Christian makes a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.
(H/T Mundo Deportivo)
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