OMM Newsroom
Former Germany footballer Lothar Matthaus has commented on Borussia Dortmund’s decision not to use the showers at Baku Olympic Stadium after its Champions League match against Sabah. Speaking on Bild’s “Lothar legt los” programme, he disagreed with negative assessments of the stadium’s infrastructure.
Matthaus, 65, said he had recently been in Azerbaijan and was satisfied with the facilities: “Overall, everything is modern. The showers work, too. I think there was more than just cold water there. In my view, everything is in a perfectly normal condition.”
Possible reasons for returning to the hotel
Matthaus speculated that Borussia Dortmund’s players may have wanted to reach the hotel sooner, relax in their rooms and get ready. He said the team also had dinner ahead and needed to take the time difference into account. He suggested the decision may have been made to help the players recover and prepare for their next match. Jokingly, he added that the team may have wanted to avoid waiting an extra 15 minutes for a player who takes a long time to style his hair.
The World Cup winner said he saw no problem with the decision itself, but noted that the club could have explained it. “Then there would be no fuss about it now,” Matthaus said.
“Borussia” statements
After a 2-1 win over Sabah, Borussia Dortmund’s players boarded the bus without showering at the stadium. Head coach Niko Kovac said the players had been advised in advance to shower at the hotel. Sporting director Ole Book described the hotel showers as more appealing, saying the stadium facilities “didn’t look quite as luxurious.”
The comments were discussed in the German media. Sabah player Joy-Lance Mickels said players from the Azerbaijani team used the same showers and encountered no problems.
