Champions League clash goes ahead in wrecked stadium with entire stand closed due to risk of collapse
BORUSSIA DORTMUND’S Champions League clash at Dinamo Zagreb went ahead despite the hosts’ stadium being in danger of collapse.
The Bundesliga giants travelled to Croatia for their sixth European match of the campaign on Wednesday.
However, the stadium they played at was barely up to UEFA standard.
Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb has been in danger of collapsing for the last four years.
In 2020 the area was hit by a severe earthquake that damaged the east stand.
The stand has since been closed to the general public, meaning the stadium capacity has reduced from 38,000 to 24,851 seats.
Directly under the VIP area – where club officials sit – there is a huge hole in the concrete estimated to be 40cm wide.
Temporary power cables have also been laid across the wooden stairs.
In addition, building equipment is being stored next to the stands, with large amounts of gravel by the lower tiers and waste in some areas.
One local has even described it as “big s***”, according to BILD.
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Ahead of the match, Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin said: “I don’t think that the boys will be shocked.
“It’s perhaps a different atmosphere with more fire. It doesn’t really matter what happens in the stands or that you are negatively influenced. Rather positive – the boys like that.”
Borussia Dortmund appeared to lap up the conditions and went on to win 3-0 thanks to goals from Jamie Gittens, Ramy Bensebaini and Serhou Guirassy.