Borussia Dortmund enter the Champions League play‑offs with six consecutive Bundesliga victories but have gone winless in their last three European matches. Coach Niko Kovac wants the team’s domestic momentum to carry them through the tie against Atalanta, urging fans to support the effort.
Dortmund face a defensive dilemma, with centre‑backs Emre Can, Filippo Mane, Niklas Süle (thigh strain) and Nico Schlotterbeck (muscular issues) sidelined. Kovac has kept options open, citing potential replacements such as Luca Reggiani, Julian Ryerson or Salih Özcan, and will decide the lineup by the deadline.