Borussia Dortmund: Players Skipped Showers at Sabah FC Stadium Due to Illness Fears

After a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Sabah FC in the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund experienced an unusual post-match situation: players were unable to shower at the stadium due to fears of contracting an illness.

Striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored a brace and became the fifth-highest African scorer in the Champions League with 23 goals, played a crucial role in the team's win in Azerbaijan. However, Guirassy and his teammates were not permitted to shower in the locker room following the match.

Similar to the day before the game, the German team's staff instructed players not to use the showers at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Reports from German media, including Sky Sport, indicate that Niko Kovac's squad had to wait until they returned to their hotel to clean up after their challenging victory against the Azerbaijani club.

Legionnaires' Disease Concerns

This decision might seem surprising, as the stadium in Azerbaijan's capital is equipped to host top-level events and has previously been used for Euro 2021 matches. According to Bild, Borussia Dortmund's delegation leadership made this choice out of concern for potential Legionella bacteria contamination and the risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease.

"We didn't shower after training on Monday either, and we're returning to the hotel quickly. We were told not to shower here," confirmed the BVB's Croatian coach during his press conference on Tuesday.

"Hotel Showers Were More Appealing"

While the hosts at Sabah FC might have been surprised by this news, the BVB camp chose not to escalate the matter after the match, opting for vague explanations regarding their decision.

"I think the hotel showers were a bit more appealing. That's why we ensure the players get back quickly," stated Sporting Director Ole Book after the game. "The showers weren't exactly luxurious."