Coach Niko Kovac stresses that Dortmund’s recent six‑game winning streak in the Bundesliga must be carried into the Champions League play‑off. With four centre‑backs sidelined – Emre Can, Filippo Mane, Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck – the manager is keeping options open for the defence.
Atalanta, who finished 15th in Serie A but won their last four Champions League group matches, will test Dortmund’s resolve. Kovac describes the tie as a “man‑to‑man” battle that will be intense.