Kovač insists Atalanta tie remains “open” despite Dortmund’s 2–0 first-leg win | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund travel to Bergamo with a two-goal cushion but no sense of comfort ahead of the second leg of their Champions League play-off.

Head coach Niko Kovač struck a careful balance between confidence and caution, underlining that the job against Atalanta is far from finished.

Dortmund dominated the first leg at Signal Iduna Park, showing defensive authority and tactical maturity, yet Kovac was keen to underline that the tie is still wide open. The advantage changes nothing about the approach, and in his view, the tie remains on a knife-edge.

There was welcome news on the personnel front. After training with the squad, Nico Schötterbeck and Emre Can are back in contention, easing the defensive strain that dominated pre-match discussions before the first leg.

Kovač framed their return as both a sporting and psychological lift, explaining that their availability broadens Dortmund’s choices rather than dictating them.

Kovac confirmed that Niklas Süle and Filippo Mane remain sidelined, but otherwise Dortmund travel with a fully fit squad, showing a significant contrast to the injury concerns that framed the build-up to the first leg.

“We’re obviously delighted that Emre and Schlötti trained with the team again today. That means if they train with the team, they’re also available for tomorrow, so they’re ready.

“We still have to discuss it and think again about whether we do it and how we do it. But of course, it helps when both captains are on board in a very important and certainly very intense match, and depending on when, they will help us.”

The setting itself is expected to be a decisive factor. Atalanta’s compact stadium is renowned for its intensity, and Kovac left no doubt that Dortmund are preparing for an emotionally charged night.

Drawing on what he has seen recently in Bergamo, he warned that the hosts will be backed relentlessly from the stands.

Rather than shrinking from that atmosphere, Dortmund intend to meet it head-on. Kovac emphasised that focus and sharpness will be non-negotiable if his side are to progress.

Despite barely allowing Atalanta a clear chance in the first leg, Kovac dismissed any suggestion that Dortmund might try to “manage” the tie. His message was unequivocal – protecting a 2–0 lead is not in Dortmund’s DNA.

Instead, Dortmund will aim to impose itself again, while remaining alert to tactical adjustments from Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. Kovac acknowledged that both teams are preparing for multiple scenarios, but insisted that initiative remains key.

“That’s why we want to try to push our game through here as well, although that of course also depends on the opponent. If we manage to put in a good performance early on, or maybe even score a goal, then we’ll certainly have a lot more self-confidence.”

Ultimately, Kovac reduced the challenge to intensity and commitment. Advancing in the UEFA Champions League, he argued, demands absolute focus regardless of the scoreline from the first leg.

Summing up Dortmund’s task in Bergamo, he concluded: “We have to be sharp, we have to be good, because if we want to get through to the next round, we have to go to the limit, and the limit always means 100 per cent.”

Dortmund will arrive in Bergamo with momentum and a two-goal advantage, but Kovac’s words leave no doubt: survival of this tie will depend on intensity, bravery and a refusal to settle.

In a stadium that promises noise, pressure and emotion for 90 minutes, Dortmund know that only another performance at their limit will be enough.