Coach Niko Kovac emphasises the need to translate the club’s domestic form into the Champions League, noting that the team has won six consecutive Bundesliga matches but has struggled in Europe with a draw against Bodø and defeats to Tottenham and Inter.
Dortmund face a defensive dilemma with Emre Can, Filippo Mane, Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck out. The play‑off opponent, Atalanta, finished 15th in Serie A, beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3‑0 in the group stage and currently sit in sixth place in Italy.