Borussia Dortmund host Atalanta at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund on 17 February 2026, with kickoff at 20:00 UTC in the UEFA Champions League Round of 32. Dortmund arrive 17th in the overall standings on 11 points, while Atalanta sit slightly better placed in 15th with 13 points.
Borussia Dortmund Availability
The hosts enter this fixture with a depleted defense. Contrary to earlier reports of a "largely intact core," Edin Terzić will be without his primary defensive trio: Nico Schlotterbeck (muscle injury), Niklas Süle (thigh injury), and club captain Emre Can (groin injury). These absences leave a massive void in the center of Dortmund’s backline and leadership.
Further complicating matters, backup goalkeeper P. Drewes is inactive, and young defender F. Mané is out with a thigh problem. While Gregor Kobel remains a world-class presence in goal, he will be protected by a makeshift defense. The pressure now falls on the attack—led by Serhou Guirassy, Julian Brandt, and Karim Adeyemi—to outscore the opposition to compensate for the defensive gaps.
Atalanta Availability
Atalanta’s offensive depth has also taken a hit. While Charles De Ketelaere was already confirmed out with a knee injury, the "Dea" will also be without Giacomo Raspadori, who is sidelined with a thigh injury.
Gasperini will have to lean heavily on Gianluca Scamacca and Lazar Samardžić to provide the finishing touch. Fortunately for the Italians, their defensive unit remains stable, which could prove decisive against a Dortmund side that may struggle for cohesion at the back.
Impact Summary
This is no longer a battle of "minor absences." Dortmund has lost almost its entire starting central defense, which significantly changes the tactical dynamic of the game. Atalanta, while missing two creative forwards, retains their tactical structure and defensive solidity. The match will likely be decided by whether Dortmund’s prolific frontline can exploit Atalanta’s defense faster than Atalanta’s strikers can punish Dortmund’s improvised back four.
