The lineups were already on the board, the video analysis was complete and the motivational speech delivered. Ismail Atalan was ready for Sportfreunde Lotte to face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday at 20:45 CET. However, heavy snowfall two hours before the match gave the referee no choice but to call off the game. Sportfreunde’s man in charge fully understood referee Dr. Felix Brych’s decision, which was accepted by DFB and both clubs. The 36-year-old speaks to DFB.de about the process of making the decision, his team’s reaction and his hopes for the rematch.
Interviewer: Mr. Atalan, how did you view the decision to call off the match? What did you make of the decision-making process?
Ismail Atalan: The referee hinted from the outset that he was very likely to cancel it. But at that point there was still no official announcement or confirmation. After he went to inspect the pitch again, he decided that that was best and he said that the game was off.
Interviewer: When the snow really started to get heavy, did you already start to fear that the referee wouldn’t let the game go ahead?
Atalan: No, not really. I said that a lot needs to happen before a DFB Cup game is called off but I’m also learning about that.
Interviewer: Referee Dr. Felix Brych claimed that he postponed the game due to the heightened danger to the players. Do you agree with that?
Atalan: I understand that and get why the pitch became really heavy. It was in a really bad state. We all thought that the players’ safety should come first even though we are obviously disappointed that we didn’t get to play.
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The lineups were already on the board, the video analysis was complete and the motivational speech delivered. Ismail Atalan was ready for Sportfreunde Lotte to face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday at 20:45 CET. However, heavy snowfall two hours before the match gave the referee no choice but to call off the game. Sportfreunde’s man in charge fully understood referee Dr. Felix Brych’s decision, which was accepted by DFB and both clubs. The 36-year-old speaks to DFB.de about the process of making the decision, his team’s reaction and his hopes for the rematch.
Interviewer: Mr. Atalan, how did you view the decision to call off the match? What did you make of the decision-making process?
Ismail Atalan: The referee hinted from the outset that he was very likely to cancel it. But at that point there was still no official announcement or confirmation. After he went to inspect the pitch again, he decided that that was best and he said that the game was off.
Interviewer: When the snow really started to get heavy, did you already start to fear that the referee wouldn’t let the game go ahead?
Atalan: No, not really. I said that a lot needs to happen before a DFB Cup game is called off but I’m also learning about that.
Interviewer: Referee Dr. Felix Brych claimed that he postponed the game due to the heightened danger to the players. Do you agree with that?
Atalan: I understand that and get why the pitch became really heavy. It was in a really bad state. We all thought that the players’ safety should come first even though we are obviously disappointed that we didn’t get to play.
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Interviewer: Snow on the pitch was cleared before the cup game against TSV 1860 München and the match was able to go ahead. How were things different this time?
Atalan: The pitch was a lot firmer against 1860. Today it was really drenched in snow. Our boots sank deep into the grass as soon as we stepped out onto the pitch. When I picture all the players going playing in their boots, I can see it going very badly. We even had problems with keeping our balance during the warm-up.
Interviewer: What do you make of the match being called off from a coach’s point of view?
Atalan: We had prepared ourselves to play football and were preparing exactly as we normally would. Next week we have another mid-week game so now we will have that schedule of games once again, so that means we have to get into a new rhythm again. It won’t be easy to adjust training to suit that. I’m now going to speak to the appropriate people to get all that organised.
Interviewer: And psychologically, how did the team take the news?
Atalan: Not well. They really wanted to play and had prepared well for the game, not just physically but also mentally. They had had a good motivational talk to get them up for it, so now I’ll have to think of something new to say when the match is rescheduled. (laughs)
Interviewer: Are you worried that the match will now end up being played at a different stadium since they won’t want to risk another cancellation?
Atalan: I obviously hope not. The people in Lotte were all really excited to watch the game here and the fans have deserved that. I think the pitch will be a lot better soon.
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