BVB ahead of clash with Atalanta: maintain momentum, compensate for absences | OneFootball

The scenarioSix Bundesliga wins in a row, but no win in three for BVB in the UEFA Champions League (a draw against Bodø, defeats against Tottenham and Inter). “We want to take the momentum we have in the Bundesliga at the moment into this match,” Niko Kovac makes clear. “We want our fans to help us carry this momentum. In the knockout stages, it's all about progressing to the next round, but we can't do that by talking a lot now; we have to work hard on the pitch. That gives us hope and also the belief that we can be successful in these two games against Atalanta.” Borussia Dortmund are aiming to reach the last 16 of Europe's premier club competition via the play-offs.

Personnel matters “We currently have four injured centre-backs,” says BVB coach Niko Kovac. Captain Emre Can and Filippo Mane have already been sidelined for a few weeks. Niklas Süle was substituted at half-time on Friday evening against Mainz due to a thigh strain, while Nico Schlotterbeck has muscular problems. “We won't take any risks, so he's not an option for the game.”

After Süle was substituted against Mainz, youngster Luca Reggiani replaced him in central defence for the second 45 minutes. Kovac is keeping his options open as to who will be on the pitch on Tuesday and mentions further alternatives: “It's always the coach's job to find solutions and be creative. Julian Ryerson played in central defence against Juventus. We can also pull Salih Özcan back or change the system. I trust everyone who can play in this position. By 21:00 CET tomorrow, we will have found a player to fill the position.”

The opponentAtalanta finished the league phase in 15th place, two places ahead of BVB. The Italians have already visited Germany this season in the Champions League, winning 3-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt. Overall, head coach Raffaele Palladino's team finished the league phase with four wins (2-1 against Bruges, 1-0 in Marseille, 3-0 in Frankfurt, 2-1 against Chelsea), one draw (0-0 against Prague) and three defeats (0-4 in Paris, 2-3 against Bilbao, 0-1 at Saint-Gilloise). In Serie A, the team from northern Italy won 2-0 at Lazio at the weekend and are currently in sixth place.

“Atalanta have a really great team that has grown over the years. They won the Europa League two years ago and are very high up in Italy,” says Niko Kovac. “It will be man-to-man all over the pitch. It's going to be very intense. I currently see the tie as being firmly balanced. Hopefully we can travel to Italy with a good result.”

The man of the momentFour assists in one game – Julian Ryerson had never achieved that before Friday's match against FSV Mainz 05. Three corner kicks and one cross from open play were converted into goals by his teammates. “I always try to improve,” says the assist provider modestly. His coach's words are much more complimentary: “The data also shows that Julian has constantly improved here at BVB in recent years. Every coach and every club loves having someone who puts the ball where it needs to be. I would certainly like to see him score a goal at some point, but if he continues to work so hard and keeps doing what he's doing, then we will all benefit.” Ryerson currently has one assist in the current Champions League season. It would be a good time to improve on that statistic against Atalanta.

Christina Reinke