Atalanta – Borussia Dortmund: La Dea’s Dream, Dortmund’s Nightmare (4-1)

Despite the scoreline, this was actually a closely fought game decided by tight margins. Both teams set up in 3-4-3 systems, which meant that the game was mostly one of man-marking and individual duels, except for a short period in the second half where Niko Kovač changed the picture. In the end, the decisive moments and individual errors went in Atalanta's favor as they prevailed late on in dramatic fashion.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Borussia Dortmund found themselves in an advantageous position after the first leg of this tie, having secured a comfortable 2-0 win. Atalanta were unlikely to go down without a fight at home though, setting up what promised to be an interesting second leg.

Raffaele Palladino's side lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, with a back three of Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolašinac plus Davide Zappacosta and Lorenzo Bernasconi as wing-backs. Marten de Roon and Mario Pašalić partnered in central midfield, while the front three was made up of Lazar Samardžić, Gianluca Scamacca, and Nicola Zalewski.

Dortmund also lined up in a 3-4-3 system under Niko Kovač, with Emre Can, Waldemar Anton, and Ramy Bensebaini in the back three. Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson were the wing-backs, with Jobe Bellingham and Felix Nmecha playing as central midfielders. Maximilian Beier and Julian Brandt then supported striker Serhou Guirassy.

Man-for-man attrition

This game saw two teams lining up in 3-4-3 formations, which often means a relatively attritional man-to-man battle on both . . .