Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their 2025–26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase, with Dortmund holding a 2–0 advantage from the first meeting. The return in Bergamo is high-stakes. Atalanta must chase an early breakthrough to open the tie up, while Dortmund can manage the game and rely on counter-threats that troubled the hosts in the opener.
Tactically expect Atalanta to push higher and commit numbers forward, which will test Dortmund’s ability to defend transitions in an area they’ve targeted with quick, direct play. Squad availability is a major subplot: Atalanta will be missing key attackers, while Dortmund faces significant defensive absences that complicate how they’ll see out the tie.
Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off pits Atalanta’s home dominance against Borussia Dortmund’s defensive resilience in a decisive tie.
| Match | Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Champions League — Play-off (2nd leg) |
| Date | 25 February 2026 |
| Kick-off | 5:45 PM GMT (12:45 PM ET / 9:45 AM PT) |
| Venue | Gewiss Stadium (New Balance Arena), Bergamo, Italy |
Team News and Analysis
Atalanta Team News
- Missing attackers: Atalanta are without Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere, both sidelined and absent from recent matchday squads — a blow to the club’s creative and finishing options.
- Selection note: Coach Raffaele Palladino may use an aggressive front three or a narrow midfield to create early openings. Full squad confirmations will be published by the club on matchday.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
- Defensive shortages: Dortmund arrives with significant absences among their center-backs, as Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, and others are either unavailable or being managed for fitness. This situation leaves Niko Kovač with limited options in defense. The issues in defense have been highlighted by both club reports and UEFA’s preview.
- Tactical consequence: With defensive depth weakened, Dortmund are likely to emphasise compact shape and quick transitions rather than sustained pressure; rotation is possible, but structural discipline will be vital.
Head-to-Head Record
The pair have met a handful of times in European competition; Dortmund hold a narrow edge in past meetings, but there is limited H2H history — this tie will add another chapter to a small sample of encounters between the clubs.
All-time H2H
| Date | Competition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2026 | UCL Play-offs | Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Atalanta | 2-0 |
Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund Starting XI Lineups
- Atalanta (3-4-2-1) Starting XI vs Real España: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Bernasconi; Pasalic, Zalewski; Scamacca
- Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1) Starting XI vs Real España: Kobel; Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy
Key players to watch
Borussia Dortmund
- Serhou Guirassy (Forward): Team’s main goal threat; scored and assisted in the first leg.
- Julian Ryerson (Defender): Attacking full-back with strong assist numbers; key in wide play.
- Maximilian Beier (Forward): Clinical finisher; scored in the first leg.
- Julian Brandt (Midfielder): Creative engine; drives Dortmund’s attacking build-up.
Atalanta
- Nikola Krstović (Forward): Leading scorer; main attacking outlet for comeback hopes.
- Nicola Zalewski (Midfielder): Playmaker with creativity and chance creation.
- Marten de Roon (Midfielder): Captain and defensive anchor; key in midfield battles.
- Marco Carnesecchi (Goalkeeper): Reliable shot-stopper; crucial for keeping Atalanta in the tie.
Match Prediction
This tie is finely poised after Dortmund’s 2–0 first-leg lead. Atalanta must play with urgency and take early risks to unsettle the visitors; Dortmund will aim to remain compact and exploit spaces on the counter.
Given Atalanta’s attacking absences and Dortmund’s defensive shortages, the match could be tight and low-scoring — the most realistic single-match outcome is a narrow home win for Atalanta that still leaves the tie alive, or a draw which would see Dortmund progress on aggregate.
Our team predicted that Atalanta have home advantage but Dortmund can a single goal and reached at the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
- Predicted Score (2nd leg): Atalanta 2–1 Borussia Dortmund — Aggregate: Dortmund 3–2 Atalanta (Dortmund advance).
Where to Watch Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund
- Europe: UEFA broadcast partners (check local listings); live details on UEFA’s match centre.
- United Kingdom & Ireland: Broadcast live on TNT Sports 3 and available for streaming via discovery+.
- United States: Streamed live on Paramount+. Select coverage may also be available on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.
- Global / Streaming: Use official UEFA channels and local rights holders — always confirm final broadcast information closer to kick-off.