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Dortmund Seize Control as Guirassy Inspires Commanding First-Leg Win Over Atalanta

Borussia Dortmund placed one foot firmly in the next stage of the UEFA Champions League after a composed and clinical 2–0 victory over Atalanta in the first leg of their knockout phase play-off.

A brief pre-match disruption — the result of traffic delays affecting the German side’s arrival — did little to unsettle Edin Terzić’s men. Once the contest began, Dortmund imposed themselves immediately, striking inside the opening three minutes to seize early control.

It was Serhou Guirassy who ignited the evening. The Guinea international, enjoying one of the most prolific campaigns of his career, rose decisively to meet Julian Ryerson’s delivery and powered a header beyond the Atalanta goalkeeper. The goal marked his 16th of the season across all competitions, underlining the striker’s growing importance to Dortmund’s European ambitions.

Dortmund’s early aggression reflected a team determined to rediscover continental authority. Champions League winners in 1997 and runners-up as recently as 2013, the club has often thrived in knockout scenarios at Signal Iduna Park, where the atmosphere and tempo frequently overwhelm visiting sides. That tradition appeared intact here.

The Bundesliga outfit continued to dictate territory and tempo throughout the first half. Their pressing disrupted Atalanta’s rhythm, forcing Gian Piero Gasperini’s side into hurried clearances rather than sustained build-up. The Italian club, renowned for its attacking fluency in Serie A — where they have averaged over 1.7 goals per game this season — struggled to translate domestic dynamism into European incision.

Dortmund’s reward for sustained pressure arrived three minutes before the interval. This time Guirassy turned architect, drifting into space before delivering a precise cross toward the back post. Maximilian Beier, timing his run intelligently, arrived unmarked to guide the ball home from close range. It was a goal emblematic of Dortmund’s structured attacking patterns: width, movement, and decisive final-third execution.

At 2–0, the hosts had justified their dominance both statistically and tactically. They outshot Atalanta in the opening period and limited their opponents to speculative efforts, a testament to the disciplined midfield shielding provided by the likes of Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer.

The second half followed a familiar European script. Atalanta enjoyed more possession — at times exceeding 55 percent — but their control remained largely sterile. Gregor Kobel, one of Europe’s most consistent shot-stoppers over the past two seasons, was rarely called into meaningful action. Dortmund’s defensive structure, compact and well-drilled, ensured that Atalanta’s attempts rarely progressed beyond hopeful crosses or blocked attempts from distance.

For Gasperini’s men, the absence of cutting edge was striking. The Bergamo-based side has built a reputation for fearless attacking play in European competition, famously dismantling Valencia and challenging Europe’s elite in previous campaigns. Yet here they encountered a Dortmund side balanced between intensity and patience, capable of absorbing pressure without compromising shape.

From a broader perspective, the result reflects Dortmund’s steady evolution under Terzić. After inconsistent domestic form earlier in the campaign, performances in Europe have offered clarity and cohesion. The integration of Guirassy has added a direct focal point in attack, while Beier’s mobility and intelligence provide complementary movement across the frontline.

With a two-goal cushion heading into the return leg in Bergamo, Dortmund hold a significant advantage. Historically, German sides progressing from a 2–0 first-leg home win in European knockout ties advance over 80 percent of the time. While Atalanta possess the firepower to respond, they will need far greater efficiency and creativity to overturn the deficit.

For now, Dortmund can reflect on a performance that blended urgency with control — a reminder of their enduring pedigree on Europe’s grandest stage.

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