Why Borussia Dortmund will advance against Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League
Borussia Dortmund's determined play and UEFA Champions League pedigree should see them through a tough play-off round clash against Serie A side Atalanta and into the last 16.
Tremendous track record
Dortmund on a midweek night in early spring brings instant connotations with the UEFA Champions League - for good reason. In the last two seasons, the Black and Yellows have made it through five two-legged knockout rounds in the competition and exited only once (against Barcelona in last season's quater-finals).
Niko Kovač's charges also have the proud record of being unbeaten in their last seven home Champions League knockout legs. A squad that has the experience of going deep into the competition, even reaching the final two years ago, should prove too much for Atalanta - who have only once previously progressed through a knockout round.
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Solid spine
Having become Champions League specialists somewhat in the past two seasons, Dortmund have become an incredibly tough proposition domestically in the current campaign. The hard running and determined defending that has seen them lose just one of their past 30 Bundesliga matches could prove to be vital attributes in continental knockout affairs.
A steely spine within the team makes them primed to outmuscle their Italian opponents. Gregor Kobel has provided an ever-dependable presence behind a defence featuring the masterful Nico Schlotterbeck and a midfield in which Felix Nmecha has perfectly pulled the strings - a formidable core indeed to have over two legs.
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Goals galore
Dortmund have blasted an incredible 41 goals in 16 league phase matches since the start of last season. They certainly have the firepower to outscore an Atalanta side that mustered just over half as many goals in this season's league phase (10 to Dortmund's 19).
Even more encouraging is the fact that Dortmund have as many as ten different Champions League scorers in the current campaign. Their top sources so far with three goals each are Julian Brandt, Felix Nmecha and Serhou Guirassy - who finished as joint-top scorer in last season's competition with 13 strikes.
Atalanta may just find out to their cost that the marksman is impossible to stop once he hits his stride in Europe.
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Up and away
Playing the second leg in Italy is nominally a disadvantage for Dortmund, but given their great away record, they can be confident of claiming a result in Bergamo on 25 February.
The Black and Yellow's sole away defeat in 11 Bundesliga trips this season was a narrow 2-1 Klassiker defeat in Munich in October, while scoring four goals in an action-packed draw at Juventus and 4-2 win in Copenhagen was a reminder Dortmund are capable of big European away showings - should they need to deliver one after the first meeting at their home fortress.
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