dortmund vs atalanta: Guirassy brace and assist send Dortmund 2-0 up
Borussia Dortmund took a commanding first-leg lead in their Champions League knockout playoff tie, beating Atalanta 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park. The hosts recovered from a 15-minute delay at kickoff to score inside three minutes and hold onto a two-goal cushion thanks to Serhou Guirassy's early influence and Maximilian Beier's close-range finish.
Early blow and Guirassy's impact
The match was pushed back 15 minutes after Dortmund encountered traffic problems en route to the stadium, delaying the scheduled start. When play did begin, the Bundesliga side wasted little time asserting control. Within three minutes Guirassy rose highest to meet a cross from Julian Ryerson and head home, marking his 16th goal of the season and adding to the four he has already scored in this Champions League campaign.
Dortmund kept pressure on and doubled their advantage just before halftime. Guirassy turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross that Maximilian Beier met at the back post to tap home in the 42nd minute. That pair of strikes left Atalanta chasing the game and set the tone for a largely comfortable night for the German hosts.
Second-half control but few clear chances for Atalanta
Atalanta grew into the match after the break and enjoyed a larger share of possession, but they rarely troubled Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel. The visitors' control of the ball did not translate into meaningful chances inside the box, and Dortmund's defensive setup — despite several injury absences — managed to stifle La Dea's usual attacking rhythm.
The German side's ability to protect their lead without forcing late drama will be a confidence booster ahead of the return leg. Atalanta have shown resilience in Europe this season against German opposition, but they were left frustrated by Dortmund's resolute defending and a clinical start from the hosts.
Looking ahead: return leg, context and squad notes
Dortmund will travel to Bergamo for the second leg on Wednesday, February 25 at 12: 30 PM ET, carrying a two-goal advantage. The tie is far from over, but the visitors face a more urgent task to overturn the deficit on home soil.
Recent history offers mixed signals. The clubs last met in European competition in 2018, and Dortmund have at times struggled against Italian sides in the Champions League in recent seasons. Atalanta, meanwhile, have known success against German opponents in certain stretches, including clean-sheet wins earlier in the campaign.
Squad availability was a talking point before kickoff. Dortmund were missing key defensive options through injury, with Nico Schlotterbeck among those sidelined and others absent, prompting the manager to call up younger players from the club’s extended roster. Those adjustments did not prevent a composed team performance on the night, but they may shape selection decisions for the trip to Bergamo.
For Atalanta, the challenge is to find a sharper cutting edge in the final third. The visitors will need greater threat from wide positions and quicker combinations in tight areas to unsettle Dortmund's defense and overturn the deficit in front of their home crowd.
In short, Dortmund's early efficiency and disciplined second-half defending delivered a valuable first-leg win. The margin is small enough to keep the tie alive, but the hosts have set themselves up well for the decisive return in Italy.
