Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that a number of their supporters will miss Wednesday’s Champions League second-leg tie against Atalanta after being denied entry into Italy, while others have reportedly been visited by police at their accommodation.
In an official statement, the Bundesliga club said they had not been provided with detailed explanations regarding the authorities’ actions.
“Borussia Dortmund are currently unaware of any detailed background information regarding the measures taken by the authorities,” the statement read.
“While Borussia Dortmund understand the need for security-based risk assessments for football matches, the club is more than surprised by the scope and scale of the police measures taken.”
The situation has created uncertainty for travelling fans ahead of a high-stakes European fixture. Dortmund carry a 2-0 advantage into the second leg, placing them in a strong position to progress to the round of 16.
Should they advance, the German side will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the next phase of the competition.
While the club stopped short of criticising Italian authorities directly, the tone of the statement suggests concern over proportionality and communication. European fixtures — particularly knockout ties — routinely involve heightened security planning, yet Dortmund’s reaction indicates the measures may have exceeded typical preventative protocols.
From a competitive standpoint, the off-field disruption is unlikely to affect the team’s preparation directly, but it does risk dampening the matchday atmosphere, particularly given the well-documented travelling support Dortmund bring to continental fixtures.
With a two-goal cushion, the Bundesliga side remain favourites to progress. However, the broader narrative surrounding the tie has shifted from purely sporting considerations to questions of crowd management and cross-border coordination — an increasingly common subplot in modern European football.
