Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta will face off in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday evening, with both teams seeking to advance to the group stage of the competition. The match, scheduled for a 20:00 CET kickoff at Signal Iduna Park, pits the German side against the Italian team in a crucial encounter.
The two clubs have met twice previously in European competition, both times in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 in February 2018. Dortmund emerged victorious in that tie, winning 4-3 on aggregate. This Champions League play-off represents a higher-stakes encounter, with a place in the lucrative group stage on the line.
Both teams enter the match with recent positive form. Dortmund has secured wins against Mainz 05, Wolfsburg, and Heidenheim in the Bundesliga, while suffering a loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League and a draw with Como. Atalanta, meanwhile, has recorded victories over Lazio, Cremonese, and Juventus, alongside a Coppa Italia win, but recently lost to Union Saint-Gilles in a recent match.
Dortmund will be without key defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle for the match against Atalanta. The absences present a challenge for coach Edin Terzić as he seeks to maintain momentum and find solutions in defense. Dortmund currently sits 15th in the Bundesliga, having accumulated 11 points, scoring 19 goals and conceding 17.
Atalanta, currently 15th in Serie A with 13 points, has scored 10 goals and conceded 10. The Bergamo coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, has described the upcoming match as a meeting with a “strong team,” referencing his familiarity with Dortmund through past encounters. He too emphasized the importance of maintaining his team’s identity.
Statistical comparisons reveal a closely matched contest. Dortmund has recorded 72 shots with 41 on target, while Atalanta has 77 shots with 30 on target. Dortmund boasts a passing accuracy of 85.35% compared to Atalanta’s 83.88%. Both teams have dropped points from winning positions, with Dortmund losing 4 points and Atalanta losing 3.
The match will be broadcast live on ESPN, providing coverage including live scores, highlights, and updated statistics. CBS Sports also offers information on how to watch the Champions League tie, including odds and potential lineups.
