It hasn’t been an easy campaign for Atalanta, and they currently sit 6th in the Serie A standings, having won just four of their 12 away matches in the league. While they come into this clash on a positive run, with three successive wins, it’s worth noting that they lost back-to-back Champions League matches to conclude the league phase. Since then, Ademola Lookman has departed for Atletico Madrid, while Charles De Ketelaere has picked up a knee injury. That’s two big blows for Atalanta to contend with in the final third.

Meanwhile, Dortmund have looked solid on home turf this season, and they were dominant against Mainz (winning 4-0) at Signal Iduna Park last time out. That result keeps the pressure on Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga standings. With that game taking place on Friday, Dortmund have had plenty of time to prepare for this fixture - it’s difficult to see the German side losing against Atalanta here.

Dortmund come into this clash in a rich vein of form, so this could be a tough night for Atalanta in midfield, and Marten De Roon in particular. The Dutchman was recently suspended against Cremonese for an accumulation of yellow cards, but returned to the starting eleven against Lazio at the weekend. The Atalanta captain remains a key presence in midfield, tasked with contesting duels in midfield to protect his back line.

De Roon is averaging 1.23 fouls per 90 this season and has landed this selection in 11 of his last 12 matches across all competitions. The 34-year-old has struggled at times in higher-intensity fixtures, making two fouls recently against Inter, while he was also sent off against Juventus earlier in the campaign. He will operate in a similar zone to Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha here, which is a solid matchup to target De Roon.

De Roon typically takes on the larger defensive burden in midfield for Atalanta, which allows Ederson a bit more attacking freedom. The Brazilian international likes to get forward, and is averaging 1.32 shots per 90 across all competitions. That figure rises slightly to 1.42 shots per 90 when playing away, where he has landed this selection in nine of his 11starts this season. 

He has accrued seven shots in the Champions League this term, with six of those coming from outside the box, while he also found the back of the net against a fellow German side, Frankfurt. Ederson scored his second goal of the season against Lazio at the weekend, which came from the penalty spot. With that being said, the majority of his shots this season have come from distance, which could be useful against a side like Dortmund, who will limit clear-cut chances.

Dortmund will hope to make home advantage count and take a lead to Italy for the second leg. The Black and Yellows tend to be front-footed in European fixtures at the Signal Iduna Park, with ten goals scored in their four Champions League home matches this campaign. Niko Kovac’s men are averaging 14.25 shots per game at the Signal Iduna Park, with 6.5 on target, which has translated to 3.75 opposition goalkeeper saves per match.

One outing against Inter Milan has weighed those numbers down. Dortmund were beaten 2-0 by the Nerazzurri, registering just nine shots and one on target in that contest. However, Inter are flying at the top of Serie A, while Atalanta sit 19 points behind them domestically. This matchup against Atalanta promises to be an easier one for Dortmund, and they should have a lot more success in the final third.