Despite missing key players Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere, Atalanta enters the match in confident form after their 2-0 victory at Lazio solidified their sixth-place position. Palladino has impressively stabilized the team since taking over in November, leading them from the bottom of the table back into the top half with the second-most points in the new year.
The Bergamo side has progressed significantly since their previous encounter with Dortmund in the Europa League eight years ago, with captain Marten de Roon noting the level is now significantly higher in the Champions League. Atalanta outperformed Dortmund in the group stage this year, recording impressive wins against teams like Chelsea and Marseille.