Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Knockout Playoffs
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Atalanta need to pull off something special in the UEFA Champions League this midweek as the Bergamasci welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Gewiss Stadium.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Atalanta preview: Brilliant but need to step up
Ever since the appointment of Raffaele Palladino, a true disciple of former boss Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta have been very impressive but mainly in domestic competition with poor performances in the UEFA Champions League.
They finished their league phase campaign with defeats to Athletic Club and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and then that poor European form has continued into this knockout playoff round tie against Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund preview: Impressive under Kovac
The first-leg of this UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round tie saw Dortmund defeat Atalanta by two goals to nil at the Westfalenstadion, courtesy of goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier.
The Yellow-Blacks most recently shared a 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena in a game in which Dortmund fought back from 2-0 down with a last-gasp equaliser scored by former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Fabio Silva.
Atalanta team news: Raspadori out
Giacomo Raspadori was a big addition for Atalanta in the January transfer window but he is now sidelined through injury for the hosts alongside Charles De Ketelaere.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Pasalic, Zalewski; Scamacca
Unavailable: De Ketalaere (Injured), Raspadori (Injured)
Questionable:
Borussia Dortmund team news: A few doubts
Dortmund are dealing with a few key doubts for this one in defensive areas as Nico Schlotterback, Niklas Sule and Emre Can are all potentially unavailable.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Reggiani, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy
Unavailable: Mane (Injured)
Questionable: Schlotterbeck (Injured), Sule (Injured), Can (Injured)
Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
That impressive comeback from Dortmund against Leipzig means that they are now unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. Atalanta will fancy themselves with home advantage but there may be a concern that they are a little too open for European competitions and can be punished. If that is the case then a high-scoring match ay well be in prospect.
Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund Tip: Over 2.5 goals
