Dortmund’s Strong Position
Dortmund recently secured a 2-0 victory at home against Atalanta, setting a positive tone for their upcoming match. This first-leg win has historically favored teams in European competitions, with only 15 out of 126 teams failing to progress after taking a two-goal lead. Dortmund has also successfully advanced from seven of their last nine knockout ties when winning the first leg.
Kovac’s Strategy
Head coach Niko Kovac emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and not becoming complacent despite the favorable result. “We’re definitely not coming here to manage the game and the result. That won’t get us anywhere,” Kovac stated. He aims to instill confidence in his players by encouraging them to impose their game and score early in the match.
Player Updates
Dortmund will see the return of key players Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck, both of whom have completed full training sessions. Kovac acknowledged the significance of having these captains back, stating, “It helps when the two captains are on board.” However, injuries to Niklas Sule and Filippo Mane will still pose challenges for the squad.
Off-Pitch Tensions
The match is also surrounded by tensions between the clubs, highlighted by Atalanta’s head coach Raffaele Palladino’s controversial gesture towards Kovac after the first leg. Additionally, Dortmund fans have announced a boycott of the upcoming match due to strict policing measures, further complicating the atmosphere surrounding the event. Off the pitch, disputes over the 2024 signing of player Samuele Inacio have added to the rivalry.
Conclusion
As Dortmund prepares for this critical match, the combination of their strong first-leg performance, strategic focus from Kovac, and the backdrop of off-pitch tensions makes this encounter significant for their European ambitions.
