Nico Schlotterbeck questions red card as Kovac suggests possible reason in Bergamo defeat | OneFootball

According to BuLi News, Nico Schlotterbeck questioned his late red card in Borussia Dortmund’s defeat in Bergamo, while head coach Niko Kovac suggested a possible reasoning by the referee.

Referee José Maria Sanchez Martinez produced three red cards before the final kick, with Nico Schlotterbeck and Giorgio Scalvini dismissed for a dugout fracas and Ramy Bensebaini sent off for a second booking after fouling Nikola Krstović. Lazar Samardžić then converted a penalty to send Atalanta into the Round of 16.

Schlotterbeck said he stood up only after several Atalanta players rose to complain, telling them to sit down and stressing he used no insults or disrespect. He said it was his first Champions League dismissal.

"Even after the game, the referee couldn't explain to me why I received the red card. I just wanted to clarify that."

Kovac said the only criticism might be Schlotterbeck crossing into Atalanta’s technical area, noting coaches are not permitted in the opposite zone, and he felt that could be the sole reason.

Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini will be suspended for the opening league phase fixture of next season’s Champions League.

Back from a muscular injury, Schlotterbeck was an unused substitute and could return to the starting lineup when Dortmund host Bayern Munich on Saturday night without Julian Ryerson.

Source: BuLi News