Borussia Dortmund suffer UEFA Champions League heartbreak against Atalanta

Borussia Dortmund’s 2025/26 UEFA Champions League journey ended in dramatic fashion with Lazar Samardžić’s converted stoppage-time spot-kick handing Niko Kovač’s men defeat in the knockout round play-off second leg, eliminating Serhou Guirassy and Co. 4-3 on aggregate.

Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Scamacca 5’, 2-0 Zappacosta 45’, 3-0 Pašalić 57’, 3-1, Adeyemi 75’, 4-1 Samardžić 90’+8 (pen)
Red cards: Schlotterbeck 90’+7, Bensebaini 90’+8

Dortmund's Champions League dreams came crashing down in Bergamo as Atalanta staged a remarkable comeback to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

Niko Kovač's side arrived at the Stadio di Bergamo with a comfortable advantage but departed on the wrong end of a 4-3 aggregate scoreline. Captain Emre Can returned to the starting lineup after his injury layoff, but the German side couldn't contain a determined and clinical Atalanta attack.

Gianluca Scamacca gave Atalanta an early lead which put Borussia Dortmund on the back foot. - IMAGO/Spada/LaPresse

Frantic start stuns Dortmund

The hosts wasted no time signalling their intent, with Nicola Zalewski forcing a save from Gregor Kobel in the fourth minute. Just moments later, Atalanta struck gold when Gianluca Scamacca capitalised on hesitant defending from Ramy Bensebaini to fire home from close range.

Dortmund struggled to gain a foothold, with Julian Brandt's 29th-minute effort their only meaningful response. The visitors' night went from bad to worse when Davide Zappacosta doubled Atalanta's lead on the stroke of half-time, his shot taking a cruel deflection off the unfortunate Bensebaini.

Karim Adeyemi's goal would have taken Borussia Dortmund to extra time, until Lazar Samardžić's converted spot-kick sent the Black-Yellows home. - IMAGO/Tiziano Ballabio/IPA Sport / ipa-agency.net

Pašalić piles on pressure before late drama

Dortmund nearly found a lifeline early in the second period when Serhou Guirassy was denied by Marco Carnesecchi, before Maximilian Beier struck the post in the 54th minute. Those missed opportunities proved costly when Mario Pašalić headed home Marten de Roon's cross to make it 3-0, leaving Dortmund needing two goals just to force extra time.

Kovač responded with attacking substitutions, and it was Karim Adeyemi who breathed life into the contest with a sublime curling effort in the 75th minute. But any hopes of a miraculous recovery were extinguished in a chaotic finale as Bensebaini conceded a penalty and received his marching orders.

Samardžić converted the spot-kick with aplomb to seal Atalanta's progression.

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