"Couldn't explain it": BVB frustrated by Schlotterbeck's red card | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund experiences a dramatic end to their Champions League exit in Bergamo, with a mysterious red card for Nico Schlotterbeck. The defender speaks out afterwards—and doesn’t understand the decision.

Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League exit in Bergamo was full of drama—both on the field and emotionally. In the 1:4 defeat in the second leg against Atalanta, BVB not only squandered their 2:0 lead from the first leg, but also received a red card for Nico Schlotterbeck in the heated final moments. And the defender himself isn’t exactly sure why.

In deep stoppage time, events quickly escalated: After a costly misplaced pass by Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini caught his opponent in the face with his foot in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty and a yellow-red card. While Lamar Samardzic converted from the spot, emotions ran high on the sidelines. Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez went to the review area—and suddenly showed a red card toward the Dortmund bench.

The recipient was Schlotterbeck, who hadn’t even played in Italy. Why? That’s exactly what’s causing confusion. The 26-year-old spoke out that evening via Instagram. “First of all, as a team—and personally—I am extremely down,” wrote the center-back.

BVB coach Niko Kovac also expresses lack of understanding for red card

He then described his view of the events. After several Atalanta players had loudly protested, he also stood up. “I said they should sit down again. That was all. No insults, no disrespect, or anything else.”

Photo: IMAGO

He still hasn’t received an explanation for the red card. “Why I received the red card, the referee couldn’t explain to me even after the game. I just wanted to clarify that,” Schlotterbeck continued. Coach Niko Kovac also showed little understanding for the decision at the press conference. “For me, there was nothing at all (…) There was no brawl, nothing at all.”

The only possible reason could be that Schlotterbeck left the coaching zone—but even that isn’t certain. The night in Bergamo will remain doubly memorable for BVB: because of the missed round of 16—and because of a sending-off that, to this day, no one can really explain.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.