Palladino: ‘Atalanta will be aggressive with Dortmund, Ederson not 100 per cent’ | OneFootball

Raffaele Palladino gives an injury update on Ederson and assures Atalanta will ‘be aggressive’ against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League play-off.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Juventus vs. Galatasaray on the Liveblog.

While La Dea have seen their Serie A form totally revitalised since coach Palladino took over in November from Ivan Juric, including Sunday’s comeback 2-1 win over Napoli, the Champions League has been a different matter.

They had been on the verge of qualifying directly for the Round of 16, but their 2-0 loss in Dortmund was the third consecutive defeat in this competition.

Palladino has faith in Atalanta comeback

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: A detailed view of the emblem of Atalanta on a corner flag prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I don’t need many words before a game like this, I just need to be clear, look at their eyes, and see that they believe,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.

“We want to have our say, we want to enjoy this match, because it is also a valuable experience. We are facing a strong opponent, we studied them carefully, and will try to play in the style of Atalanta with our fans and our characteristics.”

Ederson had been expected to be in the starting XI, but as he is only on the bench, it was evidently more than just a twinge he suffered during the first leg.

“There hasn’t been enough time to really test Ederson out and get him back to 100 per cent, but he is at our disposal, we’ll see if he is needed in the second half. He had a test this morning.”

DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Ederson of Atalanta clashes with Julian Ryerson of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori are both long-term absentees, so Gianluca Scamacca is supported by Nicola Zalewski and Lazar Samardzic.

“The three forwards need to do well off the ball, be aggressive also on their goalkeeper, who is basically a sweeper-keeper. Dortmund have such quality in the middle and damaged us from the start with their vertical passes into space, they’ve got pace, and we must try to limit their strengths,” continued the Atalanta coach.

“It is also important that we are better when in possession, as we made a few too many mistakes in Dortmund.”

DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Nicola Zalewski of Atalanta is challenged by Waldemar Anton of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)

There is a big game coming up for Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, but they bolster their line-up with the return of captain Emre Can after a month out.

“Borussia Dortmund brought in Emre Can, so that shows they are focused here and using their best starting XI. It’s the Champions League, how could they possibly be distracted? We’re glad they are using their best team, as if we can turn this around, it’ll make it even more special,” assured Palladino.