Dortmund is close to securing a spot in the Champions League round of 16.

Borussia Dortmund overcame Atalanta 2-0 in the Champions League playoff first leg, despite a delayed start, demonstrating the Bundesliga team’s effectiveness and composure.

In the early hours of February 18 (Vietnam time), Borussia Dortmund convincingly won 2-0 against Atalanta at home in the first leg. of the Champions League playoff round.

The match began with a 15-minute delay as Dortmund’s bus arrived late due to traffic, but this off-field issue did not affect coach Niko Kovač’s team’s spirit. Right from kickoff, the home side started quickly and soon capitalized on their advantage.

In the 2nd minute, from a right-wing attack, Julian Ryerson delivered a precise cross for Serhou Guirassy to rise and head sharply, opening the scoring for Dortmund. This was the Guinean striker’s 16th goal in all competitions this season, reinforcing his role as the leading figure in “Die Borussen”’s attack.

Conceding early, Atalanta pushed forward to find an equalizer. Midway through the first half, the Serie A side nearly succeeded when Mario Pašalić charged in to shoot after Nicola Zalewski’s cross but missed the crucial touch. Meanwhile, Dortmund showed greater sharpness in finishing their chances.

After Waldemar Anton missed a notable header chance, Guirassy made another impact. In the final minute of the first half, the striker sprinted powerfully before assisting Maximilian Beier for a close-range finish, doubling the home team’s lead.

In the second half, Atalanta tried to push forward to reduce the deficit but were met by a well-organized Dortmund defense. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel stayed focused, neutralizing the few dangerous moments from the visitors. Notably, 18-year-old talent Luca Reggiani also made a strong impression in his Champions League debut.

Choosing to drop back and protect their lead in the final minutes, Dortmund maintained the 2-0 scoreline until the final whistle. This result gives “Die Borussen” a significant advantage ahead of their away leg in Italy in eight days and opens the door for the first time to overcome a Serie A team after four previous unsuccessful attempts.