Match Preview: Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund; BVB look to secure last 16 spot
With the Bundesliga already out of reach, Europa League is the only silverware Borussia Dortmund can hope for this season. With a slender lead in hand, Peter Stöger and co. make their trip to Italy this Thursday in hopes to seal their spot in the Round of 16.
The Black and Yellows have managed to find some form after the bumpy start to the year. Batshuayi’s arrival has seen Borussia Dortmund win four games on the trot. The Belgian International has patched up the hole left by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this winter.
Last week, Peter Stöger’s men were excellent in front of goal but defensive lapses saw them give 2 crucial away goals to Atalanta. Currently, the tie is in a balance with both sides looking to make the first impact on Thursday. Here is all you need to know about the fixture:
Match Information
Location: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, Bergamo, Italy
Date: February 22nd, 2018
Time: 8:05pm(GMT)/9:05pm(CET)
Form Guide
Borussia Dortmund
Last 5 matches: DWWWW
Last match: Borussia Dortmund 1 Borussia Mönchengladbach 0
Analysis: The Borussen derby was held on a pitch that looked similar to a cabbage patch at a farm. Dortmund fans were worried as Reus and Gotze had just made their returns to the first team. Things turned out to be well with all the players coming off intact at the end of the fixture. Gladbach dominated the fixture with 28 shots and holding 53% of the possession. But Reus’ much awaited first half strike was enough to seal the points for Peter Stöger’s men.
Atalanta
Last 5 matches: LWDLD
Last match: Atalanta 1 Fiorentina 1
Analysis: Atalanta’s disappointing run in the Serie A continued this weekend. Gasperini decided to rest some of his key players for the Europa League clash. In the 16th minute, Fiorentina took the lead as Milan Badelj latched onto a rebound. Atalanta toiled hard and got the equalizer in the dying moments of the first half. Andrea Petagna headed in from close range to restore parity before the players returned to the dressing room. The second half didn’t see much action other than Fiorentina’s Milenkovic sent off in the 85th minute.
First Leg
Borussia Dortmund played some brilliant football in the starting minutes of the fixture. Andre Schürrle gave them an important lead in the 30th minute. Though Dortmund dominated play, the scoreline only read 1-0 at the end of the first half.
Atalanta came into the second half strongly. In a matter of 12 minutes, Josep Iličić found the back of the net twice, turning the game on its head. Atalanta took control of the tie with the crucial 2 away goals. But then it was Batshuayi’s turn to show up at the party. Götze was brought in at the 62nd minute. The German International provided two key passes to Batshuayi, which he converted to end the finish the game at 3-2.
Opposition Star Man – Josip Ilicic
Dortmund’s defence crumbled twice last week and saw Ilicic grab on the opportunities to bring his side back into the fixture. The Slovenian International has now netted 11 goals in all competitions, adding to his tally of 9 assists this season. Peter Stöger will have to come up with a plan to ensure that contain the threat of Ilicic. The Black and Yellows must ensure that their defence doesn’t break down as it has been in recent games.
Possible lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Bürki, Piszczek, Sokratis, Toprak, Toljan, Castro, Götze, Pulisic, Reus, Schürrle, Batshuayi
Atalanta: Berisha, Toloi, Caldara, Masiello, Hateboer, de Roon, Spinazzola, Freuler, Ilicic, Petagna, Gomez