Guirassy inspires decisive win in dortmund vs atalanta Champions League first leg
Borussia Dortmund seized control of their Champions League knockout play-off with a 2-0 victory over Atalanta at Signal Iduna Park. Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring inside three minutes and later set up Maximilian Beier to double the advantage before the break, leaving Dortmund with a comfortable cushion ahead of the second leg in Bergamo.
Early breakthrough and match flow
The contest was disrupted before kickoff after the home team was held up in traffic en route to the stadium, prompting a 15-minute delay. Once play began the hosts wasted little time asserting themselves. Guirassy rose highest to meet a Julian Ryerson cross and powered a header past the goalkeeper for his club-season tally, extending his Champions League goal count this campaign.
Dortmund continued to control the tempo and pressure throughout the first half. In the 42nd minute Guirassy was the architect, turning provider with a cross that found Maximilian Beier at the back post to make it 2-0. The German side frustrated Atalanta for long spells after the interval; the visitors enjoyed more possession at stages but rarely tested home keeper Gregor Kobel in meaningful fashion.
The result was a tidy, professional performance from Dortmund: clinical in the final third when chances presented themselves and disciplined enough defensively to deny Atalanta clear openings. That combination proved decisive in a match where early momentum shaped the remainder of the game.
Implications, context and what comes next
The outcome hands Dortmund a two-goal lead to protect in the return leg, scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at 12: 30 PM ET in Bergamo. That tie will be a stern test for the visitors, who must overturn the deficit on Italian soil to progress. Historically the sides have met in European competition before, with a narrow aggregate outcome in 2018, but this is their first Champions League meeting in several years.
Atalanta arrive having shown strength against German opponents in recent European fixtures, but this night belonged to Dortmund, who combined early aggression with a controlled second-half performance. For Atalanta, the task is to rediscover cutting edge away from home in the return leg and avoid repeating a first-leg shortfall.
Squad notes and outlook
Dortmund have navigated injury concerns across their back line in recent weeks, with several established defenders unavailable. The squad has compensated by integrating younger options into matchday plans, and on this occasion those selections helped maintain defensive stability while allowing the forwards to operate with freedom.
Serhou Guirassy's early strike and assist underlined his importance to Dortmund's attack this season, while Maximilian Beier's finish provided the clean, simple reward for persistent positional work. With a 2-0 lead in hand, Dortmund will head to Bergamo seeking to close out the tie, while Atalanta must be sharper and more incisive if they are to turn the tie in their favor.
The second leg in Bergamo will determine who advances to the last 16, and both teams will have little margin for error when they meet next week.
