Overview
- Kickoff is 21:00 CET at Signal Iduna Park, with exclusive broadcast in Germany on Amazon Prime Video from 20:00.
- Nico Schlotterbeck (muscular problems), Niklas Süle (thigh), Emre Can and Filippo Mane are confirmed unavailable for the first leg.
- Kovac is weighing a start for Reggiani after his recent league cameo, with alternatives including Julian Ryerson moving inside or a back four with Ramy Bensebaini alongside Waldemar Anton.
- Atalanta arrive in strong form as Serie A’s sixth-place team and 2024 Europa League winners, with Kovac calling the tie a 50-50 and highlighting their aggressive man-marking style.
- Dortmund’s choice not to sign a center-back in January faces renewed scrutiny as progression to the Champions League last 16 carries major sporting and financial stakes.