Raffaele Palladino has given his pre-match ideas forward of Atalanta’s Champions League play-off tie in opposition to Borussia Dortmund, has commented on the absences of Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori and says that he disagrees with BVB coach Niko Kovac, who claims that each side have a 50/50 likelihood of qualifying for the spherical of 16.
Atalanta completed the league part in fifteenth place on 13 factors, three factors shy of a spot within the prime eight and a assured spot within the Champions League spherical of 16.
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That , who completed two factors and two positions behind Atalanta within the Champions League league part desk.
Atalanta will tackle Dortmund at Sign Iduna Park on Tuesday night earlier than internet hosting the return leg in Bergamo subsequent week (Wednesday, February 25).
Palladino previews Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Atalanta BC coach Raffaele Palladino points directions to his gamers in the course of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 01, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
to Sky Sport Italia earlier than the Dortmund play-off tie will get underway, Palladino mentioned the ambiance that awaits them on the 81,000-capacity Sign Iduna Park.
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“The followers are essentially the most lovely a part of soccer, even if you’re enjoying in opposition to a powerful ambiance, it’s at all times a spectacle and that’s good for soccer,” he mentioned. “We are going to play in such a lovely, prestigious and intense stadium.
“The Champions League offers us an additional little bit of motivation as properly. We’ve recovered bodily and mentally, we hope to place in an excellent efficiency. We’ll face an excellent staff.”
La Dea will likely be with out two of their key attackers in De Ketelaere and Raspadori on Tuesday night time.
“We’re sorry for them, Charles and Jack are crucial to us. They’re robust gamers and provides us a component of unpredictability and high quality, however accidents and unexpected occasions are sadly a part of soccer,” Palladino mentioned.
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“We’re an enormous household, an enormous group and whoever replaces them will do it in the absolute best manner. We’ve reached a stage of consciousness that whoever performs will do it properly.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Giacomo Raspdori of Atalanta celebrates scoring his staff’s third objective with teammate Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta in the course of the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at Gewiss Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
And reflecting on the journey that has led Atalanta into the Champions League knock-out levels, Palladino mentioned: “We’ve a whole lot of enthusiasm, there’s a whole lot of want to proceed rising and getting outcomes, which have been optimistic.
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“We all know that the extent could be very excessive within the Champions League. Dortmund have nice people and are very properly coached. We need to attempt to put them in problem, we all know we will do it in 180 minutes.”
Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac claimed that each side have an equal 50% likelihood of qualifying for the spherical of 16.
Requested if he agrees, Palladino mentioned: “It’s important to play the sport first, I by no means do the chances first. I attempt to carry a way of light-heartedness and self-confidence. I would like maturity and a staff that understands find out how to react to sure moments within the recreation.”
Palladino is properly accustomed to Kovac’s brother, with whom he performed at Juuvents.
“I do know Robert, I’ll give him an enormous hug tomorrow. We shared the dressing room that yr in Serie B.”