Early pressure and late first-half strike give Dortmund full control of the Champions League playoff first leg
A subdued Atalanta return from Germany with a 2-0 defeat as Borussia Dortmund firmly take charge of the Champions League playoff first leg. The German side struck early and late in the opening half, never allowing Atalanta to find rhythm or attacking continuity.
Serhou Guirassy was the standout performer, proving impossible to contain, while Julian Ryerson once again delivered decisively from the flank. For Atalanta, it was a night to forget defensively — especially for Odilon Kossounou — with Nicola Zalewski the only real spark in an otherwise flat performance.
First Half: Dortmund Set the Tone
Kickoff was delayed by 15 minutes due to Dortmund’s late arrival caused by traffic, but once play began, the home side wasted no time asserting control.
After just three minutes, Guirassy opened the scoring with a powerful header from Ryerson’s cross, exposing shaky marking from Kossounou. Dortmund’s high press caused constant problems for Atalanta, who struggled to progress the ball cleanly.
The Italians’ best chance came in the 22nd minute when Zalewski broke free down the left and delivered a dangerous ball across the box, but Mario Pašalić arrived a fraction too late to convert.
Dortmund nearly doubled the lead in the 41st minute when Waldemar Anton headed over from close range, but the second goal arrived moments later. Guirassy burst down the left and squared for Maximilian Beier, who tapped into an empty net to make it 2-0 just before halftime.
Second Half: Control Without Risk
Raffaele Palladino attempted to change the script by introducing Krstović for a quiet Gianluca Scamacca at the break, but Atalanta remained largely toothless. Dortmund managed the game intelligently, slowing the tempo and limiting risks.
Julian Brandt came close to adding a third in the 67th minute, but even without further goals, Dortmund never looked in danger. For Atalanta, it marked a clear step back in terms of intensity and personality compared to recent outings.
The return leg in Bergamo will require a vastly improved performance if Atalanta are to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Match Report
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta: 2-0
Goals:
3’ Guirassy (BVB)
42’ Beier (BVB)
Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1):
Kobel; Reggiani, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha (83’ Sabitzer), Svensson; Brandt (70’ Chukwuemeka), Beier (70’ Adeyemi); Guirassy (83’ Silva).
Coach: Niko Kovač
Atalanta (3-4-2-1):
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti (46’ Hien), Kolašinac; Zappacosta (72’ Bellanova), De Roon (63’ Sulemana), Éderson, Bernasconi; Pašalić, Zalewski (82’ Samardžić); Scamacca (46’ Krstović).
Coach: Raffaele Palladino
Yellow Cards: Reggiani (BVB), Anton (BVB), Kossounou (ATA), Djimsiti (ATA), Scamacca (ATA)
Red Cards: None
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük
