Borussia Dortmund have won six straight Bundesliga matches but have gone winless in their last three Champions League games. Coach Niko Kovac wants to translate that domestic form into the play‑offs against Atalanta, urging fans to support the team. The club is dealing with four injured centre‑backs – Emre Can, Filippo Mane, Niklas Süle (thigh strain) and Nico Schlotterbeck (muscular problem) – and will decide the lineup on Tuesday.
Atalanta finished the league phase in 15th place, two spots ahead of Dortmund, and have won four of their six Champions League matches, including a 3‑0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Kovac expects a tight, man‑to‑man contest and believes the tie will be intense.