Atalanta Clash with Borussia Dortmund: Battle Preview, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Borussia Dortmund hold a valuable 2–0 advantage as they travel to Bergamo for the return leg of their Champions League knockout playoff clash with Atalanta on Wednesday night.
The German club boasts an impressive history in this tournament, having lifted the trophy once before; memorably beating Juventus 3–1 in the 1997 showpiece. They've also progressed to the round of 16 in six out of seven recent campaigns, and are favorably positioned to repeat that feat following last week's success.
Serhou Guirassy's opening strike calmed Niko Kovač's team, and they cruised to a 2–0 victory, leaving Atalanta facing a significant challenge.
La Dea reached the quarter-finals in 2019–20, but possess notably less experience in Champions League elimination rounds. Nevertheless, they've shown remarkable improvement under new coach Raffaele Palladino, who took over a squad positioned 13th in Serie A.
Following a disputed 2–1 victory against Napoli over the weekend, Atalanta have climbed to seventh place and remain in the hunt for a top-four spot. Dortmund, conversely, rallied to secure a draw at RB Leipzig in their latest outing, with Der Klassiker approaching.
What Time Does Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund Kick-Off?
What Time Does Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund Kick-Off?
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Current Form (All Competitions, Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions, Last Five Games)
Atalanta (WLWWW) | Borussia Dortmund (DWWWW) |
|---|---|
Atalanta 2–1 Napoli | RB Leipzig 2–2 Borussia Dortmund |
Borussia Dortmund 2–0 Atalanta | Borussia Dortmund 2–0 Atalanta |
Lazio 0–2 Atalanta | Borussia Dortmund 4–0 Mainz |
Atalanta 2–1 Cremonese | Wolfsburg 1–2 Borussia Dortmund |
Atalanta 3–0 Juventus | Borussia Dortmund 3–2 Heidenheim |
How to Watch Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund on TV
How to Watch Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund on TV
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 3, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, CBS Sports Golazo |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | FOX One |
Atalanta Team News
Atalanta Team News
Atalanta must attempt their comeback without key forward Charles De Ketelaere, who continues to be unavailable due to a knee problem.
January acquisition Giacomo Raspadori is also ruled out through injury, but those represent their only major fitness worries.
Palladino should have access to a nearly complete squad for Wednesday night's encounter, with Éderson and Gianluca Scamacca both expected to return to the first eleven.
Mario Pašalić, who netted his 50th Serie A goal during the weekend, could maintain his starting position. The Croatian midfielder brings valuable experience, having previously scored in a Champions League quarter-final for La Dea.
Atalanta Predicted Lineup vs. Borussia Dortmund
Atalanta Predicted Lineup vs. Borussia Dortmund
Atalanta predicted lineup vs. Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolašinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Éderson, Zalewski; Pašalić, Sulemana; Scamacca.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Borussia Dortmund Team News
The Bundesliga outfit secured first-leg success despite missing several defenders, and Kovač looks set to welcome back Nico Schlotterbeck for Wednesday's fixture. The center-back participated in Tuesday's training session and has been named in the traveling party.
Nevertheless, important figures Emre Can and Niklas Süle remain absent, along with prospect Filippo Mane, who's recovering from a thigh problem.
Karim Adeyemi could prove crucial in counter-attacking situations, though Kovač will likely maintain the forward partnership that has delivered results recently. Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier found the net for Dortmund in the first leg.
Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineup vs. Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineup vs. Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup vs. Atalanta (3-5-2): Kobel; Reggiani, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Brandt, Svensson; Guirassy, Beier.
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund Score Prediction
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund Score Prediction
Both sides should enter with confidence following their weekend domestic performances, despite Dortmund dropping points in the Bundesliga title chase.
Kovač's team managed to contain Atalanta effectively in the first meeting despite their defensive shortages, but they're unlikely to find it as straightforward in Bergamo, even with Schlotterbeck returning. La Dea are desperate for a result, and they're certain to provide greater threat on their home ground than they managed at Signal Iduna Park.
Wednesday's encounter promises to be more action-packed, with Atalanta mounting a determined effort. Still, BVB will believe they only need to create one scoring opportunity to progress.