Just under three weeks after suffering a 0-2 defeat to Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund is set to face another formidable Italian challenge in Atalanta. This encounter promises to be just as demanding as their previous match against the Serie A leaders. Following the departure of long-time coach Gian Piero Gasperini last summer, Atalanta underwent a brief period under Ivan Juric before welcoming Raffaele Palladino as the new head coach in mid-November. Since then, the team has made a remarkable comeback, climbing from the bottom of the table to the upper half, with only Inter Milan accumulating more points in the new year.
Atalanta recently reinforced their sixth-place standing in the league with a convincing 2-0 win against Lazio at the historic Olympic Stadium in Rome, serving as a strong preparatory match ahead of their showdown with Dortmund. Palladino expressed confidence in his squad’s momentum, noting, “2026 has been a very good year for us. We’ve recovered, we’re on the right track, and we’re very confident.” However, the spirits were slightly tempered by the news of forward Giacomo Raspadori’s thigh injury, which will keep him out of both encounters against Dortmund, a loss Palladino acknowledged as a significant setback. The absence of Belgian international Charles De Ketelaere is also concerning for the team.
Delving into their recent Champions League performances, Atalanta has been a formidable contender, outpacing Dortmund in the phase for the second consecutive year. Their impressive 3-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt captured attention across Europe, followed by wins against Club Brugge (2-1), Chelsea FC (2-1), and Olympique Marseille (1-0). However, they faced challenges with away defeats to heavyweight teams like Paris Saint-Germain (4-0) and Athletic Bilbao (3-2), alongside a goalless draw against Slavia Prague, which hindered direct qualification for the knockout stage.
Reflecting on their historical encounter with Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League round of 32 eight years ago, captain Marten de Roon recalled the electrifying atmosphere during the match in Dortmund. Only de Roon remains from that squad, yet he sees marked improvement in Atalanta since then. “The level is significantly higher. Back then it was the Europa League, now it’s the Champions League. We have many professionals who have already played in such matches,” he stated. To succeed, he highlighted the need for compactness, intensity, and the importance of enjoying the game without fear.
Atalanta reached the pinnacle of their success in 2024 with a Europa League victory, where they handed Bayer Leverkusen their only loss of a double-winning season in the final. Advancing to the Champions League round of 16 would further bolster their international stature.
Despite facing personnel challenges, Atalanta will enter the match in Dortmund with a strong sense of confidence. Palladino acknowledged the formidable atmosphere at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK and the quality of the opponents. “We’re facing a strong team. But I’ve seen my players highly focused. I’m convinced we can cause problems for Dortmund,” he remarked. The Italians have been formidable against German opponents in European competitions, losing only two of their last eleven matches and managing to win all three games without conceding a goal.
The upcoming match also holds personal significance for Palladino, who will reunite with Borussia Dortmund’s assistant coach, Robert Kovac, with whom he shared time in the Juventus locker room. “I’m looking forward to seeing Robert,” Palladino expressed.
With their resilient spirit and determination, Atalanta is gearing up for a memorable clash against Borussia Dortmund, aiming for victory and further recognition on the European stage.