The road to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 resumes on Tuesday night as Borussia Dortmund welcome Atalanta BC to Signal Iduna Park for the first leg of their playoff tie. Both clubs arrive in confident domestic form, yet their European trajectories have taken contrasting routes.
Dortmund’s league-phase campaign was a tale of two halves. Early fireworks, including a chaotic 4-4 draw against Juventus, suggested they would cruise through. However, successive 2-0 defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan in their final outings forced them to settle for 17th place. Qualification was secured, but without the dominance they might have hoped for.
Since then, the Bundesliga side have rediscovered rhythm and authority. Three consecutive league wins have yielded nine goals, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Mainz at the weekend. Under Niko Kovac, Dortmund have become notably difficult to break down, losing just once in their last 30 league matches. At home in Europe, their record remains formidable: only two defeats across their previous 22 Champions League fixtures on familiar turf.
There is also recent knockout pedigree to draw upon. Dortmund have advanced through five European elimination ties over the past two seasons, combining attacking fluidity with greater tactical maturity. A 100th win in Europe’s premier competition now beckons, an achievement that would underline their consistency at this level.
Atalanta, meanwhile, navigated the league phase with slightly more assurance, finishing two points and two places above Borussia Dortmund to claim 13th spot. That placement ensures they will host the decisive second leg in Bergamo, a potentially significant advantage.
La Dea’s domestic momentum has been impressive. Since exiting the league phase, they have gone unbeaten in four matches across all competitions. A statement 3-0 victory over Juventus in the Coppa Italia secured a semi-final berth, while a 2-0 win at Lazio extended their strong Serie A run. They remain undefeated in domestic competition this calendar year, collecting seven wins and two draws.
Head coach Raffaele Palladino has brought renewed structure and energy to the side following a turbulent managerial period. Though less experienced than his opposite number, Palladino has demonstrated tactical adaptability and calm leadership. Still, this stage of the Champions League presents a different challenge entirely.
European knockout history remains a concern for the Italian side. Atalanta have lost their last five Champions League elimination ties, including a 5-2 aggregate defeat at this stage last season. While they have claimed notable scalps in recent European campaigns, beating sides such as Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea in the league phase, translating that form into knockout success has proved elusive.
The tactical battle promises intrigue. Borussia Dortmund are likely to press aggressively at home, using width and vertical transitions to unsettle Atalanta’s backline. The visitors, disciplined and comfortable in structured systems, may prioritise compact spacing and counter-attacking opportunities, aware that the tie will ultimately be decided over 180 minutes.
With both sides in strong domestic shape, fine margins could dictate the outcome of this opening leg. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Borussia Dortmund head into the first leg with several positive updates on the availability front. Nico Schlotterbeck returns after serving a one-match domestic suspension against Mainz, strengthening the defensive options available to Niko Kovac.
Daniel Svensson is also back in contention after missing the previous Champions League outing against Inter Milan due to suspension. Marcel Sabitzer has recovered from a recent calf injury and is pushing for a starting role, though a final decision will depend on match fitness. However, captain Emre Can remains sidelined with a groin problem and is not expected to feature.
Dortmund’s attacking depth continues to be a key strength. They have already produced ten different scorers in this season’s Champions League campaign, underlining their unpredictability in the final third.
Serhou Guirassy, Felix Nmecha, and Julian Brandt have each scored three goals in Europe so far. Julian Ryerson’s influence from wide areas has also grown, with the Norwegian wing-back delivering four assists at the weekend, including two for Guirassy, highlighting Dortmund’s threat from set-piece situations and advanced flank play.
Borussia Dortmund are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Gregor Kobel will start in goal. The back three should consist of Niklas Sule on the right side of central defence, Waldemar Anton operating centrally, and Ramy Bensebaini on the left. In the wing-back roles, Julian Ryerson is likely to occupy the right flank, providing width and crossing threat, while Daniel Svensson should operate on the left.
In central midfield, Jobe Bellingham is expected to feature in a box-to-box role, partnering Felix Nmecha, who will combine defensive responsibility with forward bursts. Further ahead, Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier are likely to operate as the two attacking midfielders behind the striker, linking play and supporting transitions. Leading the line will be Serhou Guirassy, tasked with spearheading the attack and capitalising on Dortmund’s creative supply.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy
Atalanta travel to Germany with a significant attacking absentee. Charles De Ketelaere is ruled out through injury, a major blow given his influence during the league phase. The Belgian forward registered six goal involvements, created 20 chances and completed 11 successful dribbles in the competition, making him one of La Dea’s most productive European performers this season.
There are no fresh suspension concerns reported, but Raffaele Palladino must adjust his attacking structure in De Ketelaere’s absence. To compensate, Palladino strengthened his squad in the recent transfer window by adding Giacomo Raspadori, who is expected to step into a creative role behind the striker.
The Italian international offers intelligent movement between the lines and versatility across the front positions. Nikola Krstovic and Gianluca Scamacca remain options to lead the line, though Krstovic appears slightly favoured for this first leg due to his recent form and mobility.
Defensively, Odilon Kossounou presents an interesting selection question. The Ivorian centre-back started every Champions League match for Atalanta during the league phase but has featured less frequently in Serie A in recent weeks. Palladino must decide whether to restore him to the starting lineup for European continuity or persist with the current domestic configuration.
Atalanta are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Marco Carnesecchi will start in goal. The defensive trio should feature Odilon Kossounou on the right side of central defence, Isak Hien operating centrally, and Honest Ahanor on the left. In the wing-back positions, Davide Zappacosta is likely to occupy the right flank, while Lorenzo Bernasconi should operate on the left.
In midfield, Ederson will provide energy and forward drive from a central role, partnering Marten de Roon, who will anchor the midfield with his experience and defensive discipline. Further forward, Giacomo Raspadori is expected to operate as one of the two attacking midfielders, with Nicola Zalewski supporting him in advanced areas. Leading the line should be Nikola Krstovic, tasked with stretching Dortmund’s defence and capitalising on transition opportunities.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Ahanor; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Bernasconi; Raspadori, Zalewski; Krstovic
Serhou Guirassy has quickly established himself as Borussia Dortmund’s focal point in attack, and once again the spotlight will fall on the Guinean striker in this crucial European tie. His physical presence, intelligent positioning, and clinical finishing have given Dortmund a sharper edge in the final third this season.
In the Champions League campaign so far, Guirassy has consistently delivered, combining aerial dominance with clever movement inside the box. He thrives on quick service from wide areas, particularly from Julian Ryerson, and has shown composure when chances fall his way under pressure.
Against an Atalanta defence that prefers to play with a back three and step aggressively into midfield, Guirassy’s ability to occupy centre-backs and exploit gaps between defenders could prove decisive. In knockout football, strikers who convert limited opportunities often define the outcome, and Dortmund will look to Guirassy to provide that cutting edge.
This tie has the makings of a tightly contested tactical battle. Atalanta are disciplined, well-drilled, and capable of striking on the counter, but Borussia Dortmund’s home form in Europe remains a major factor. The atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park often elevates their tempo and intensity, particularly in knockout fixtures.
With Serhou Guirassy in strong scoring form and Borussia Dortmund boasting greater recent success in elimination rounds, the hosts appear slightly better positioned to take a first-leg advantage. Atalanta should remain competitive and dangerous on transitions, but over 90 minutes, Dortmund’s attacking variety may prove decisive.
