Today is a crucial day for Borussia Dortmund as they aim to secure a spot in the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. The team faces Atalanta Bergamo in an early kick-off at 18:45 local time, a departure from the usual evening start time. Fans who tune in at the familiar 21:00 time will miss the action.
Dortmund comes into this decisive match with strong prospects after winning the first leg 2-0, thanks to goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maxi Beier. They now only need to maintain their lead for one more match to advance. However, if they proceed past the playoffs, they will encounter substantial challenges, potentially facing heavyweight opponents like Bayern Munich or Premier League leaders Arsenal in the next round. The draw for the knockout stage will take place this Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.
In positive news for the squad, defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can, who had recently been dealing with injuries, are set to participate in the match after successfully completing training in Italy. Their return will significantly strengthen coach Niko Kovac’s options as he prepares the team for this pivotal clash.
Unfortunately, Dortmund will be without a section of their loyal supporters, as many fans have been denied entry to Italy due to strict police measures. The club has reported that some fans faced travel restrictions, and others were visited by law enforcement at their accommodations. Consequently, the active fan scene from Dortmund has decided to stay away from the game, prompting criticism from the club regarding the police’s “disproportionate” actions.
Today’s match represents a do-or-die situation for Dortmund as they strive to overcome Atalanta and secure their place in the Champions League knockout phase. Supporters and players alike will hold their breath as the game kicks off at 18:45.