Dortmund: We did not want to play
BORUSSIA DORTMUND came through the game they did not want to play last night after being told they were lucky to be alive. They lost at home to Monaco and complained that political pressure from UEFA and the German government dictated that they had to play their re-arranged Champions League quarter-final less than 24 hours after three pipe bombs exploded next to their team bus. Defender Marc Bartra needed surgery for a broken wrist and blast injuries, while police revealed that shrapnel was found embedded in headrests on the bus. Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel was unhappy at the lack of consultation, saying: ‘We were informed by text message that UEFA was
making this decision, a decision made in Switzerland that concerns us directly. We will not forget it, it is a very bad feeling. ‘A few minutes after this attack, the only question asked was: “Are you ready to play?” — as if we had thrown a beer on our coach. ‘At that time, we did not know the reasons for this attack. There is a feeling of helplessness. The date was imposed on us. I wanted more time, a few more days. ‘We will not have digested it completely but time helps us to find a solution. ‘It is important to have a chance to realise our dream and the team was not at top concentration. ‘UEFA are eager to keep playing, but we still want to be competitive. We do not want to use the situation as an excuse. ‘The team did not feel in the mood for such a game. ‘There are players who can easily deal with what’s happened and others who worry more. ‘It’s not very fair. We’ve been left feeling a bit helpless by the decision. But professionals find solutions. We are strong.’ Midfielder Nuri Sahin said: ‘Until the second half, I did not think about football, to be honest. ‘I know football is very important and we earn a lot of money and have a privileged life but we are human beings, there is so more than football and, last night, we felt it. ‘When I was on the bus last night, I can’t forget the faces, I will never forget those faces.’