Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta go head-to-head in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 17th February.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund team news
Borussia Dortmund face a major defensive crisis ahead of this crucial European encounter. The club officially announced via their social media platform X: “Nico Schlotterbeck (muscular problems) and Niklas Süle (thigh injury) missed the final training and will not be available for tomorrow’s match”.
The defensive headache deepens further as captain Emre Can is also sidelined nursing a groin injury. Filippo Mane is also sidelined until March.
In response to the injury crisis, Dortmund have added three young players to their Champions League squad via the B list: Luca Reggiani, Elias Benkara and Danylo Krevsun.
Reggiani came on for Sule during the Mainz victory and could be handed a start once again in this Champions League encounter.
On a positive note, striker Serhou Guirassy is rediscovering his goalscoring touch, having netted five times in his last three Bundesliga outings, including a brace against Mainz. Kovac emphasised: “We need his goals; they are always crucial. When he finds the net, it enhances our chances of winning.
Atalanta team news
Atalanta will be without their Belgian midfielder Charles De Ketelaere for this crucial tie after his surgery on his right knee. De Ketelaere is expected to be sidelined for around four to five weeks.
Also out of this UCL encounter is Giacomo Raspadori after the striker suffered a hamstring strain in the latest stages of the match against Lazio.
Gianluca Scamacca is expected to lead the line for La Dea, with support from Lazar Samardžić and Nicola Zalewski. Marco Sportiello should start in goal, with Giorgio Scalvini, Berat Djimsiti and Honest Ahanor forming the back three.
Form
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund arrive at this fixture in sensational domestic form, having won six consecutive Bundesliga matches. This remarkable run has seen them close the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from 11 points after Matchday 18 to just six points.
Their latest triumph came with Friday’s comprehensive 4-0 victory over Mainz, with Julian Ryerson registering a remarkable four assists – only the fourth player since 2004-05 to achieve this feat in a Bundesliga match.
Atalanta
Atalanta have built impressive momentum since Raffaele Palladino took charge, currently unbeaten in eight Serie A matches, with six victories. They sit sixth in the Serie A table with 42 points from 25 matches.
Their recent form has been excellent: a 2-0 away victory at Lazio on February 14, a 2-1 home win against Cremonese, and a commanding 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final triumph over Juventus on February 5.
Predicted lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Reggiani, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Ahanor; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Bernasconi; Raspadori, Zalewski; Krstovic
How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta?
UK fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports 3.
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