Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Atalanta Player Ratings: Serhou Guirassy Steals the Show in Statement 1st Leg Win

A blistering first-half performance was all it took for the home side. Borussia Dortmund secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Atalanta in their Champions League knockout tie. It felt like this match was decided before it ever truly began. The host came out with an intensity that the visitors simply couldn't handle.

The breakthrough arrived almost immediately. Just three minutes in, a pinpoint cross found Serhou Guirassy, who made no mistake, and he buried a header to send the home fans into a frenzy. That goal set the tone for the entire half. Dortmund dictated the pace and possession with an almost arrogant swagger. We noticed Atalanta looked completely shell-shocked, struggling to string passes together or build any kind of meaningful attack.

Just when it seemed Atalanta might drag themselves to the break only one goal down, Borussia Dortmund struck again with a killer blow. This time, Maximilian Beier finished off a swift move to double the lead just before halftime. The second half was a more cagey, controlled affair. Dortmund seemed content to manage their lead, absorbing what little pressure Atalanta could muster and looking to hit on the counter. The Italian side huffed and puffed, but they just lacked the cutting edge to break down a well-organized and resolute defense. Here are Sportsdunia's Dortmund vs Atalanta player ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Borussia Dortmund blew the tie open in the opening 45 minutes with relentless pressing, quick transitions, and clinical finishing that Atalanta simply couldn’t cope with.
• Atalanta were completely overrun in midfield, struggling to retain possession or slow Dortmund’s tempo after conceding early.
• The game was effectively settled before halftime, allowing Dortmund to manage the second half with discipline and defensive control.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs Atalanta

Here are the Borussia Dortmund player ratings against Atalanta.

Goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel - 7.5: Had a relatively quiet first half but was called into action more after the break. He made a fantastic save to deny Éderson and another solid stop late on. What stood out to us was his command of the box on crosses. Distributed the ball effectively, though a few long balls went astray.

Defenders

Waldemar Anton - 6.5: A bit of a mixed bag from the defender. He was physically present but picked up a needless yellow card and committed a few clumsy fouls. He also missed a golden opportunity with a header that he really should have buried.

Ramy Bensebaini - 8.0: A rock at the back. We were incredibly impressed by his composure and reading of the game. He won almost every single duel he contested, both on the ground and in the air. His passing was crisp and accurate, helping build attacks from deep.

Luca Reggiani - 7.0: A solid outing for the defender, who made a number of crucial clearances to snuff out Atalanta attacks. He was aggressive and on the front foot. However, he picked up a yellow card in the first half, which forced him to be a little more cautious.

Midfielders

Jobe Bellingham - 8.0: What an engine. This kid was absolutely everywhere, covering every blade of grass. His tackling was immense, winning the ball back time and again. His pass completion rate was near-perfect, showing incredible composure in a crowded midfield.

Felix Nmecha - 7.0: A tidy and effective performance in the heart of midfield. He kept the ball moving, linked defense with attack, and wasn't afraid to get stuck in. He created one key pass and was always available as an option.

Daniel Svensson - 6.5: Went about his business quietly but effectively. He didn't produce any standout moments, but his positioning was sound and his passing was simple and safe. He played an important role in maintaining the team's structure.

Julian Ryerson - 8.5: A fantastic performance from the wing-back. He delivered a sublime cross for the opening goal, a moment of pure quality. He was a constant threat down the flank, creating two big chances and always looking to get forward.

Forwards

Serhou Guirassy - 9.0: The highest-rated player and our man of the match, without a doubt. He was simply unplayable. He opened the scoring with a powerful header and then turned provider with a clever assist for the second goal. His hold-up play was excellent, and he was a constant nightmare for the Atalanta defence.

Julian Brandt - 7.0: The captain led by example with a hard-working display. He was the creative link for Dortmund, constantly probing and trying to unlock the defense. He created a good chance and kept the ball well under pressure.

Maximilian Beier - 7.5: He took his goal brilliantly, a composed finish at a crucial time just before the half. He was a livewire throughout, always looking to run in behind and stretch the defense. He was a little wasteful with one or two other chances, but his goal was vital for the team's victory.

Substitutes

Karim Adeyemi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Marcel Sabitzer, Fábio Silva - N/A: The substitutes came on to help see out the game when the result was already secured. They performed their roles adequately, maintaining the team's shape and energy levels.

Manager

N. Kovač - 8.0: His game plan was executed to perfection. He sent his team out with purpose and aggression, and they blew Atalanta away in the first 45 minutes. His management of the second half was smart, ensuring his team remained compact and didn't give anything away.

Atalanta Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

Check out the Atalanta player ratings for the Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta match.

Goalkeeper

Marco Carnesecchi - 6.0: It’s hard to blame him for either of the goals, as he was left exposed by his defense. He made a couple of decent claims and punches, but wasn't tested much beyond the goals. A difficult night where he could do very little to change the outcome.

Defenders

Odilon Kossounou - 5.5: He really struggled against the movement of Dortmund's attackers. He was caught out of position on a few occasions and lost the majority of his duels. The yellow card he picked up was a sign of his frustration.

Berat Djimsiti - 5.0: A torrid 45 minutes for the defender. He looked completely off the pace and was deservedly substituted at halftime. He was booked and struggled to contain Dortmund's fluid attack.

Sead Kolasinac - 6.5: Probably the best of a very shaky backline. He made a number of important tackles and clearances, showing his fighting spirit. Despite his efforts, he was part of a defense that was completely overwhelmed in the first half. He never gave up, which we have to respect.

Midfielders

Éderson - 7.0: One of the few Atalanta players who can hold their head high. He worked tirelessly in the midfield, winning the ball back an impressive 11 times. He even forced a good save from Kobel with a powerful header. He tried to drive his team forward, but was fighting a losing battle.

Marten de Roon - 5.5: The captain was largely anonymous and was completely overrun in the midfield battle. He struggled to get a foothold in the game and couldn't impose his usual authority. It was no surprise to see him substituted just after the hour mark.

Lorenzo Bernasconi - 6.0: He showed some decent touches and created a couple of half-chances. However, he was often careless in possession, and his final ball lacked quality. A mixed performance that promised more than it delivered.

Davide Zappacosta - 5.5: Offered very little going forward and was often pinned back by Dortmund's attacks. He was unable to provide any quality from the wide areas. Substituted after a disappointing and ineffective display.

Forwards

Mario Pašalić - 6.0: He worked hard and tried to make things happen, but lacked any real quality in the final third. He missed a decent headed chance in the first half. From our perspective, he just couldn't get into the game and influence the play in dangerous areas.

Gianluca Scamacca - 4.5: An absolutely dreadful performance, possibly the worst on the pitch. He was completely anonymous, lost possession constantly, and offered zero threat. Being substituted at halftime was a mercy.

Nicola Zalewski - 6.0: He looked lively in spells and tried to take on his man, drawing a few fouls. However, his end product was lacking, and he couldn't create any clear-cut opportunities for his team.

Substitutes

Isak Hien, Nikola Krstovic, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Raoul Bellanova, Lazar Samardzic - N/A: The manager tried to change things with substitutions, but none of them could make a significant impact on the game. Krstovic had a shot saved, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Manager

R. Palladino - 5.5: His team looked unprepared for Dortmund's early onslaught. The tactical setup was wrong from the start, and his side was comprehensively outplayed. The halftime changes did little to alter the flow of the match. A very disappointing and humbling night for the Atalanta boss.

Man of the Match

Serhou Guirassy was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Gianluca Scamacca was the worst performer.