Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Knockout Playoffs
by Alex Lawes ·
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This could be one of the more entertaining clashes in the knockout playoff round of the UEFA Champions League as Borussia Dortmund take on Atalanta on Tuesday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Borussia Dortmund preview: Strong Dortmund
Ever since the appointment of former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac about a year ago, Borussia Dortmund have been much-improved in the last 12 months and they come into this one on the back of some excellent form of late.
The Yellow-Blacks hammered in-form Mainz by four goals to nil at the Westfalenstadion in their most recent outing in the Bundesliga at the weekend, extending their winning streak to six matches domestically.
Atalanta preview: Improved Atalanta
Following the appointment of former Monza boss Raffaele Palladino, Atalanta have been much-improved in the last couple of months, albeit the Bergamasci finished the league phase of the UEFA Champions League very poorly.
Having been dramatically beaten by three goals to two by an out of form and struggling Athletic Club side at the Gewiss Stadium in Italy, they rounded off their campaign with a 1-0 loss to already eliminated Belgian champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Borussia Dortmund team news: Couple of doubts
Borussia Dortmund have a couple of doubts for this weekend as centre-back Niklas Sule is potentially sidelined alongside the experienced and versatile Emre Can.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Bellingha, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy
Unavailable: Mane (Injured)
Questionable: Sule (Injured), Can (Injured)
Atalanta team news: Attacking absentees
Atalanta have a couple of attacking injury absentees for this one, such as Belgium international Charles De Ketelaere and Italy international Giacomo Raspadori.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; Samardzic, Bernasconi; Krstovic
Unavailable: De Ketelaere (Injured), Raspadori (Injured)
Questionable:
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta prediction
Atalanta come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico the other day, meaning that they are just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots, having beaten Juventus in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals earlier this month. They have a lot going on and are playing very well, but the same could be said for Dortmund and, with their home advantage, the Germans have to be viewed as the favourites.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Tip: Borussia Dortmund to win & both teams to score
