Borussia Dortmund will face Bayer Leverkusen in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday evening. The security rules are causing some confusion ahead of the match.
The last time Borussia Dortmund visited Bayer Leverkusen, the match was a highly emotional affair. On a hot May day, the BVB fans in the visitors’ section cheered their team on to a 4-2 away victory; the race to secure a Champions League spot was nearing a successful conclusion. And Leverkusen? For them, there was nothing left at stake in terms of the standings, but they gave their successful coach, Xabi Alonso, a fitting send-off. It was the Spaniard’s final home game before he moved to Real Madrid.
Excitement is also expected on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m./Sky) in the clash between Bayern’s pursuers. It’s a pivotal match, especially for Dortmund, who have been struggling in the league recently. Ahead of the match on the A1, however, the fans are also in the spotlight, especially the black-and-yellows from the Ruhr region. That’s because the heightened security measures for the Leverkusen game are causing some irritation.
Leverkusen vs. BVB: Home club enforces its house rules
Compared to the match in May, only fence banners are permitted in the visitors’ section this time. Large and small waving flags, double-handled flags, and flagpoles, however, are prohibited. Also on the list of prohibited items at the BayArena: food and drinks brought from home, as well as backpacks and larger bags. This is stated in the official information letter that BVB has compiled for its fans. Bayer Leverkusen enforces its house rules at the stadium.
The security situation surrounding soccer matches is currently a hot-button issue in the public eye. The competition among interior ministers plans to further tighten measures surrounding the Bundesliga match. Fan groups, on the other hand, point to police statistics showing that attending a match is safer than ever. As a result, protests took place in both the first and second divisions on the last Bundesliga matchday. The issue was also raised by fans at the BVB general meeting on Sunday. The new president, Hans-Joachim Watzke, expressed his support for the fans.