Borussia Dortmund secured a significant advantage in their UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off tie, defeating Atalanta 2-0 in the first leg at Signal Iduna Park on February 17, 2026. The victory, fueled by goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier, positions Dortmund favorably heading into the return leg in Italy. Fans in select regions can watch the upcoming match online via Sony LIV and other streaming platforms.
The match, played in front of a crowd of 76,900, saw Dortmund capture an early lead. Just three minutes into the contest, Serhou Guirassy headed home a pinpoint cross from Julian Ryerson, giving the German side a 1-0 advantage. This early goal set the tone for a dominant performance from Dortmund, who controlled much of the first half. The win marks a strong start to the knockout stage for Dortmund, who are aiming to advance deep into the Champions League tournament.
First-Leg Goals and Key Performances
Guirassy’s opening goal was a testament to Dortmund’s attacking prowess, with Ryerson continuing his impressive form after providing four assists in a recent Bundesliga match against Mainz. Maximilian Beier extended Dortmund’s lead in the 42nd minute, completing a well-worked move that involved Guirassy, who also provided the assist. According to bundesliga.com, Guirassy has been directly involved in 24 Champions League goals (17 goals, seven assists) since the start of last season, more than any other player during that period.
Lineups and Match Details
Borussia Dortmund lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, featuring Kobel in goal, a defense of Bensebaini, Anton, and Reggiani, and a midfield anchored by Nmecha and Bellingham. Guirassy and Beier led the attack. Atalanta responded with a 3-4-2-1 setup. The match kicked off 15 minutes later than scheduled due to travel issues for the Dortmund team, but this did not appear to affect their performance.
Here’s a look at the starting lineups:
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Bensebaini, Anton, Reggiani, Svensson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Ryerson, Brandt, Beier, Guirassy.
Atalanta: (Lineup details not fully available in provided sources)
Match Statistics
Dortmund maintained 44.4% possession compared to Atalanta’s 55.6%. Dortmund recorded 2 shots on goal from 7 shot attempts, while Atalanta had 3 shots on goal from 9 attempts. Dortmund received 2 yellow cards, while Atalanta received 3. Dortmund also had 3 corner kicks to Atalanta’s 2. Kobel made 3 saves for Dortmund, while Atalanta’s goalkeeper made 0. Sofascore provides a detailed breakdown of the match statistics.
What’s Next?
Atalanta will now host Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of the play-off, seeking to overturn the 2-0 deficit. The date and time of the return leg have not been confirmed, but We see expected to be held in Bergamo, Italy, in the coming weeks. Dortmund will aim to defend their lead and secure their place in the Champions League round of 16. Niko Kovač, the Borussia Dortmund coach, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, as reported by UEFA.com.
The outcome of the second leg will determine which team progresses to the next stage of the competition. Fans can stay updated on the latest news and schedules through official UEFA channels and Sony LIV, the official broadcaster in select regions.
What are your predictions for the second leg? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
