Palladino backs identity as Atalanta face Dortmund in Champions League play-off | OneFootball

For Atalanta Bergamo, nights like these are no longer novelties, but they have not lost their edge. As the UEFA Champions League play-offs arrive, Atalanta step into Dortmund carrying belief born of continuity, tactical clarity and a growing sense that this team belongs on Europe’s biggest stage.

Head coach Raffaele Palladino has spoken openly about the emotional charge surrounding the tie. After two days of build-up, he admitted his adrenaline levels were already “at a thousand” – a reflection not of nerves but anticipation. Atalanta, after all, arrives without the weight of expectation yet with the tools to cause real problems.

Unlike their opponents, La Dea comes into the first leg with fewer structural concerns but less recovery time. Palladino revealed that preparation was compressed by one day compared to Borussia Dortmund, a factor he acknowledged but refused to lean on.

Atalanta will also be without key attacking options. Palladino confirmed that Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori are unavailable, a blow to creativity and rotation in the final third. Speaking ahead of the tie, the Atalanta coach admitted his disappointment at their absence, while stressing that the response must be collective rather than individual.

The plan, however, remains unchanged: man-to-man intensity across the pitch, courage in possession and the collective aggression that has defined Atalanta’s rise in Europe.

Palladino has consistently underlined that the objective is not containment but disruption – placing Dortmund in uncomfortable situations rather than reacting to them.

Absences may reduce options, but they do not dilute identity. This is an Atlanta side shaped by continuity and trust in its system, one that expects every player to absorb responsibility when margins tighten.

Palladino’s respect for Dortmund has been clear and consistent. He has highlighted their recent Bundesliga surge, attacking quality and the atmosphere awaiting in Germany. However, respect has not drifted into reverence.

From Atalanta’s perspective, this is a balanced tie – a duel of intensity rather than reputation. Palladino has underlined that Dortmund’s injury problems do not reduce their danger; if anything, they increase unpredictability.

The Italian side expects a physical, high-tempo encounter, one where duels, second balls and concentration over 90 minutes – or more – will shape the outcome. The first leg, in particular, is viewed as a chance to impose rhythm rather than manage damage.

Atalanta’s European confidence is rooted in progress rather than peaks. The UEFA Europa League triumph two seasons ago reshaped perceptions, but Palladino has been keen to frame the present as a continuation rather than a culmination.

This squad, he believes, has matured tactically and mentally. They are comfortable suffering without losing structure and brave enough to press without losing balance. Against a Dortmund side riding domestic momentum, La Dea sees opportunity in confrontation rather than caution.

There is no illusion that the tie will be decided in Germany. Palladino has described it as a two-act contest in which discipline in the first leg is as important as ambition.

For Atalanta, this is not about announcing themselves, but about reaffirming who they are: intensity, identity, and the belief that, over two legs, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone left in the competition.