Atalanta vs Dortmund: Champions League Play-off, Live Stream & Preview 2026
BERGAMO, Italy – Atalanta face a daunting task on Wednesday, , as they host Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. Kick-off at the Gewiss Stadium is scheduled for (17:45 GMT). Dortmund carries a significant advantage into the match, having secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg played in Germany last week.
The pressure is firmly on Atalanta, who must overcome a two-goal deficit to advance to the round of 16. Their hopes rest on replicating the kind of improbable comeback seen from Liverpool against Barcelona in 2019, becoming one of the few teams in recent years to overturn a first-leg deficit of two goals or more.
Despite the uphill battle, Atalanta enter the match with a surge of domestic momentum. They have progressed to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and remain undefeated in 2026, boasting eight wins and two draws across all competitions. A recent 2-1 Serie A victory over Napoli, fueled by goals from Mario Pasalic and Lazar Samardzic, further solidified their positive form. Playing in front of their home supporters at the Stadio di Bergamo offers a potential boost.
Dortmund, however, arrives in Italy in confident form as well. A 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, secured by a late goal from Fabio Silva, demonstrated their resilience. The German side has been consistently strong domestically, losing only once in their last 30 Bundesliga matches. They are aiming to reach the round of 16 for the seventh time in eight seasons and will be looking to build on their strong first-leg performance.
The first leg saw Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier find the net for Dortmund, showcasing their clinical finishing. Despite a relatively even possession split, Dortmund’s efficiency in front of goal proved to be the difference. Atalanta struggled to create clear-cut chances, managing only seven shots – their fewest in a Champions League match to date.
Historically, Dortmund has a strong record in similar situations. They have won all 10 UEFA ties in which they held a two-goal advantage after the first leg, including a previous victory over Atalanta in the Europa League in the 2017/18 season. However, their away form in Italy is less convincing, with five losses in their last eight visits. They conceded four goals during trips to Manchester City and Juventus this season, suggesting vulnerabilities on the road.
Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino will need to inspire a significant improvement in his team’s attacking output. Gianluca Scamacca is expected to lead the line, supported by Lazar Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski in attacking midfield, with Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori unavailable. The defense is expected to remain unchanged from the win over Napoli, featuring Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac. Davide Zappacosta and Lorenzo Bernasconi will operate as full-backs, with Marten De Roon and Ederson providing midfield stability.
The match promises to be a compelling encounter, pitting Atalanta’s recent domestic form and home advantage against Dortmund’s historical dominance in these scenarios and their overall quality. While Dortmund are the clear favorites to progress, Atalanta’s ability to conjure a memorable European night at the Gewiss Stadium cannot be discounted. The winner of this tie will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last 16.
“It’s going to be a difficult mission, we know that, but we will give it our all,” said Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino, acknowledging the challenge ahead but expressing his team’s determination.