Nico Schlotterbeck’s red card: Defender questions decision, Kovac suspects referee’s reasoning

Nico Schlotterbeck and Niko Kovac talked about the defender’s red card at the closing stage of Borussia Dortmund’s defeat in Bergamo.

José Maria Sanchez Martinez dished out three red cards ahead of the final kick of the tie between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund. Before Lazar Samardžić sent the Bergamo side to the Round of 16 from the penalty spot, Nico Schlotterbeck, Giorgio Scalvini, and Ramy Bensebaini were all punished by the Spanish referee.

While the Algerian defender was sent off with his second booking for a foul on Nikola Krstović, the other two were issued straight red cards for their roles in a dugout dispute. “I’d like to clarify something regarding the situation,” said the 26-year-old center-back after the game.

“I felt like ten Atalanta players jumped up at once and complained loudly. Hence, I also stood up and told them to sit down again. That was all. No insults, no disrespect, or anything else,” said Schlotterbeck as he was sent off in the Champions League for the first time.

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

Schlotterbeck and Bensebaini will now be suspended for the opening league phase fixture of next season’s Champions League. Although the sought-after defender didn’t get the explanation from the referee, Dortmund’s coach shared his personal insights regarding the incident.

“The only thing you could perhaps criticize Nico (Schlotterbeck) for is that he walked over Atalanta’s side,” said Niko Kovac. “As a coach, I know that you’re not allowed to be in the other coach’s zone. That can be the only reason, because otherwise there was nothing there.”

After making his return from a muscular injury, Schlotterbeck was an unused substitute. He could be back in the starting lineup when Dortmund host Bayern Munich on Saturday night without Julian Ryerson.