Borussia Dortmund take the first leg of the play-offs

The opening round of the UEFA Champions League play-offs went the way of Borussia Dortmund, who claimed a 2-0 win in the first leg at the Westfalenstadion.

The hosts struck early, with Guirassy rising to head home Ryerson’s cross just three minutes in. The Nerazzurri came close twice before the half-hour mark: in the 21st Zalewski, broke into the box and slid the ball across for Pašalić, who couldn’t get the touch to steer it on target; ditto in the 25th, when the Polish wingback’s cross was blocked by the defense after a slick move by Kolašinac. The hosts then doubled on 42 minutes with Beier, tapping Guirassy's assist point-blank in after a link-up with Borussia's number 9.

Early in the second half, freshly subbed-on Krstović tried his luck from distance, but Kobel held firm. What followed was a bruising, end-to-end battle, every ball fiercely fought over, with the Nerazzurri throwing everything at it in search of a lifeline. Still, the hosts dug in and kept their two-goal cushion intact.The final sight of goal fell to Samardžić, whose curling left-footer was well held. The return leg on Wednesday 25 February at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo will decide who punches their ticket to the round of 16.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-0 ATALANTA

Scorers: Guirassy 3 (BD), Beier 42 (BD).

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Anton, Bensebaini, Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha (Sabitzer 82), Svensson, Beier (Adeyemi 70), Brandt (Chukwuemeka 70), Guirassy (Fabio Silva 82). Unused Bench: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Couto, Ozcan, Inacio, Kabar, Krevsun, Bernkara. Coach: Niko Kovac.

Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Kossounou, Djimsiti (Hien 46), Kolašinac, Zappacosta (Bellanova 72), De Roon (Kamaldeen 63), Éderson, Bernasconi, Pašalić, Zalewski (Samardžić 82), Scamacca (Krstović 46). Unused Bench: Rossi, Sportiello, Bakker, Musah, Scalvini, Vavassori, Ahanor. Coach: Raffaele Palladino.

Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (NED);
Assistant referees: Patrick Inia (NED) and Rogier Honig (NED);
Fourth official: Jeroen Manschot (NED);
V.A.R.: Pol van Boekel (NED);
A.V.A.R.: Bram Van Driessche (BEL).

Notes: Reggiani (BD), Kossounou (A), Djimsiti (A), Scamacca (A) and Anton (BD) booked.