Borussia Dortmund announced a 15-minute delay to their Europa League Round of 32 first-leg match against Atalanta. The unexpected delay was caused by the home team bus being held up by traffic congestion in the vicinity of Signal Iduna Park.
The German club posted on its official social media accounts about an hour before the scheduled kickoff: “Due to our team’s late arrival, the match will be delayed by 15 minutes.” A club spokesperson confirmed to AFP that the delay was due to “traffic congestion,” which necessitated changing the kickoff time from 9:05 PM to 9:20 PM local time (8:20 PM GMT).
Background and significance of the confrontation
This match holds special significance for both teams. Borussia Dortmund, one of the giants of German and European football, enters the Europa League after a surprising exit from the Champions League group stage and seeks to make amends to its fans by competing strongly for the title, which it has never won before. The European title represents a key objective to salvage a season marked by inconsistent performances.
On the other hand, Atalanta has been a remarkable phenomenon in Italian and European football in recent years. Under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, the team has become known for its entertaining attacking style and its ability to trouble even the biggest clubs. The Italian side aims to cause an upset and prove its worth on the continental stage by eliminating a giant like Borussia Dortmund and continuing its successful European adventure.
The potential impact of the delay
Although a 15-minute delay may seem insignificant, it can significantly impact the players' mental and physical preparation. Professional teams adhere to a meticulous pre-match schedule that includes warm-ups, final tactical meetings, and psychological preparation in the locker room. Any disruption to this routine can throw players off balance and affect their performance in the opening minutes of the match, adding a new layer of challenge for the home team in this crucial European clash.
