Dortmund hit by defensive crisis and fan row ahead of Atalanta clash

Borussia Dortmund head into the Champions League play-off first leg against Atalanta Bergamo on Tuesday at 3: 00 PM ET with major defensive absences and an off-field dispute over fan access that has already soured relations ahead of the return match. Coach Niko Kovac must reshuffle his back line while the club pushes for clarity over restrictions placed on certain travelling supporters.

Defensive dilemma: Schlotterbeck and Süle ruled out

In a blow to Dortmund's preparations, Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle will not be available for the first leg. Schlotterbeck is sidelined with muscular problems and had also missed the recent Bundesliga win over Mainz due to a suspension. Süle was withdrawn at half-time in that game with thigh complaints and will be absent for the trip to Italy.

The losses compound an already thin centre-back pool; Emre Can and Filippo Mane also remain unavailable. Kovac acknowledged the challenge at his pre-match press briefing, stressing the need for creativity in selection and collective defensive work. "We have some options, " he said, emphasising that defending is a team-wide responsibility and that the squad's balance has improved compared with last season.

With youth prospect Luca Reggiani newly available for senior minutes after featuring late in the recent league match, one workable solution is to deploy the 18-year-old in central defence. Another option is a tactical switch to a flat back four, with left-back Ramy Bensebaini potentially stepping into a central role alongside Waldemar Anton. Julian Ryerson, one of the remaining senior defensive figures, underlined that pressure can be eased if attacking players contribute to defensive phases.

The matchday lineup listed the goalkeeper Gregor Kobel with Reggiani, Anton and Bensebaini in the back three or four, while the midfield included Jude Bellingham, Felix Nmecha and others. Up front, Serhou Guirassy — back to scoring form after a recent goal double in the league — leads the attack, a development Kovac sees as vital for Dortmund's chances on Europe's biggest stage.

Fan exclusion ignites dispute over return-leg arrangements

Tensions have flared around the return leg after local authorities in Bergamo restricted ticket sales for certain Dortmund supporters. The measure reportedly targets fans who were not born in Germany or who do not have a German-registered residence, with the stated rationale tied to security concerns about potential clashes involving groups from other clubs.

Dortmund called the exclusion of parts of its travelling support an "egregious breach of values and a form of discrimination, " arguing that it contradicts the club's principles and wider European sporting norms. Fans staged a visible protest at the home ground ahead of the trip, unfurling a banner across the south stand to express their displeasure.

The club says it has been in intensive talks with the host city and the continental governing body to find a solution that allows all legitimately entitled supporters to attend. Conversations are described as constructive, and Dortmund remains hopeful that dialogue will produce an agreement before the return fixture.

Outlook: cautious optimism amid a high-stakes night

Despite the defensive setbacks and off-field controversy, Dortmund will travel determined to secure a favourable result that keeps their European ambitions alive. Kovac has repeatedly highlighted the importance of collective effort — from goalkeeper to forwards — and the manager will expect his side to compensate for personnel losses with tactical discipline and intensity.

Atalanta arrive with their own strengths, but Dortmund's recent attacking form, led by Guirassy, gives them a realistic chance of a positive outcome in the first leg. The tie now hinges on how well Kovac can reconfigure his back line and whether the club can resolve the fan access dispute ahead of the return leg.