Monaco offers Dortmund a gift as a show of solidarity

MONACO – In a show of solidarity before they faced each other in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Monaco offered Borussia Dortmund a gift following last week’s bus attack in Germany.

Last Tuesday in Germany, three explosions went off as the team headed to the stadium for the home leg against Monaco, leaving defender Marc Bartra needing hospital treatment following injuries to his wrist and arm after a window was shattered.

The match was hurriedly rescheduled for the next day and Monaco won 3-2 to put itself in a strong position to reach the semifinals. Dortmund’s fans rallied to help their stranded Monaco counterparts by offering them a place to stay for free on Tuesday night, while Monaco’s fans chanted for Dortmund for long spells during the rescheduled game.

It was this mutual respect that prompted Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev to give Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke a plaque with several photos showing the communion between the two sets of fans last week.

Shortly before the match, Monaco played the famed song from Liverpool football club “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in honor of Dortmund, with fans from both sides singing along with their scarves raised. Dortmund’s fans also sang “Hourrah, Hourrah, Monaco” (Hurray, Hurray Monaco).

Bartra is still unable to play but took his seat on the Dortmund bench, dressed in the club’s yellow and black tracksuit.

Monaco leads 3-2 from the first leg heading into Wednesday evening’s match at Stade Louis II. Monaco last reached the semifinals in 2004, losing the final to Porto.