Raffaele Palladino maintains Atalanta can flip , because it’s ‘solely the primary half,’ and divulges the reason for stress with Nico Kovac.
It was a nasty begin in Dortmund, partly as a result of when the hosts have been late attending to the stadium on account of a visitors jam.
Commercial
That didn’t appear to have an effect on them, as they scored inside three minutes due to Serhou Guirassy’s towering header, then the identical participant arrange Maximilian Beier for 2-0 simply earlier than half-time.
Palladino trusts Atalanta can struggle again
DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Nicola Zalewski of Atalanta is challenged by Waldemar Anton of Borussia Dortmund throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photograph by Pau Barrena/Getty Photos)
Atalanta have been compelled into modifications in Dortmund, as this week each Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere have been dominated out for not less than a month by accidents.
Commercial
“We mustn’t discuss who isn’t right here, however as a substitute consider who did play,”
“It’s a pity we have been 1-0 down proper from the beginning, as a result of we knew Borussia Dortmund are an excellent staff with robust people who can assault the house, they put in a cross and we didn’t mark correctly on that purpose.”
Fabio Capello within the Sky Sport Italia studio warned that enjoying man for man with that Dortmund assault was a recipe for catastrophe.
“I agree with that evaluation, it’s true that their strikers have numerous technical and bodily qualities,” replied Palladino.
“I used to be struck by their midfielders too, they’re full gamers. Nonetheless, our mentality should be to have braveness. We studied our opponents, these matches are additionally useful to know our strengths and their strengths.
Commercial
“It gained’t be simple to show this round, however I consider, the followers might be pushing us on, and that is why we love soccer, as a result of it provides you the chance to show issues round.”
DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta is challenged by Waldemar Anton of Borussia Dortmund throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photograph by Alex Grimm/Getty Photos)
Gianluca Scamacca made his return to the beginning XI this night, however appeared visibly rusty, as Nikola Krstovic was livelier when changing him for the second half.
Commercial
“We made too many errors and received caught taking place one flank, we have been too predictable, too gradual transferring it round, however we did significantly better within the second half, with extra possession, extra motion, extra choices in assault, extra areas opening up.
“I received the sensation we have been able to create one thing in assault, however we have been missing somewhat high quality within the ultimate third, with the ultimate go. There have been issues we didn’t do effectively tonight, we’ll analyse them with the lads and do higher subsequent time.
“Additionally don’t neglect we have been up towards a powerful facet that’s second within the Bundesliga, solely six factors behind Bayern Munich. I’m unhappy concerning the end result, however I additionally observe that they had solely two pictures on track and scored each of them. We have now to suppose constructive, our dream is to undergo, and if we don’t handle it, we’ll know that we gave our all. There are a lot of younger gamers on this squad who gained expertise from this for the longer term.”
DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Maximilian Beier of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his staff’s second purpose throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photograph by Alex Grimm/Getty Photos)
Commercial
It means La Dea have a mountain to climb within the second leg in Bergamo on Wednesday February 25, as they should win by two clear targets simply to pressure further time within the Champions League play-off.
“This was simply the primary half, the second is on our house turf, and simply as they put two targets previous us this night, we will do the identical in Bergamo,” insisted Palladino.
“The lads know what we have to do, we are going to get again on our toes and definitely play the second leg with nice depth.”
DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 17: Niko Kovac, Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund, speaks to the media previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photograph by Pau Barrena/Getty Photos)
Commercial
There gave the impression to be some stress on the ultimate whistle when Palladino stormed off and didn’t shake palms with Borussia Dortmund coach Kovac.
“I don’t like protesting, they have been complaining for each single factor on the touchline. I attempt to go away the referees to do their job, in good and dangerous, so I simply advised him he should let the referees get on with it.”