Niko Kovac confirmed that Borussia Dortmund will be without Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule for the first leg of their Champions League play-off with Atalanta on Tuesday.

BVB welcome the Serie A side to Westfalenstadion on Tuesday, but will be without two key members of the defensive unit that has helped them up to second in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund boss Kovac explained Schlotterbeck was nursing muscular problems and would not be risked, while a thigh issue has ruled Sule out of contention.

It is a huge blow for BVB, who are also without the experienced Emre Can and youngster Filippo Mane, who are both out with respective injury issues.

Luca Reggiani, who replaced Sule in Dortmund’s 4-0 win over Mainz on Friday, is another alternative, though Kovac was undecided as to who would fill in.

“We currently have four injured centre-backs. We don’t want to take any risks with [Nico] Schlotterbeck, so he’s not an option,” Kovac added.

“It’s a coach’s job to find solutions and be creative. We have several options there – or we can change the system. I trust everyone who can play in that position.

“Julian [Ryerson] has played in central defence against Juventus, and Salih [Ozcan] could also be deployed there.”

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Dortmund finished 17th in the league phase after losing 2-0 to Inter on the final matchday, meaning they are unseeded heading into the play-off round of the competition.

BVB and Atalanta have met twice before in major European action, with the German side winning 4-3 on aggregate during a Europa League round of 32 tie in February 2018.

However, Dortmund have won just one of their last seven Champions League games against Italian opposition (D3 L3), a 3-1 victory over AC Milan in November 2023.

Atalanta have lost each of their last five Champions League knockout games, though Kovac insisted that his team were in for a tough test against Raffaele Palladino’s side.

“Atalanta have a great team and have developed over the years. They won the Europa League two years ago,” Kovac added.

“It will be man-to-man all over the pitch and very intense.

“There will be moments where we can exploit space to create opportunities, but they are a very strong opponent. I see the chances as 50:50.”

Dortmund may be without key players, but they are in form. A victory over Mainz on Friday extended their winning league run to six matches, while they remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga in their last 15 fixtures, since a 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich on October 18.

But Dortmund have lost their last two Champions League matches 2-0, having only lost one of their first six games in the competition this season.

And Dortmund defender Ryerson, who became only the fourth player since detailed data collection in 2004-05 to register four assists in a Bundesliga match last time out, urged his team-mates to deliver in a huge game.

“We’re looking forward to it. We don’t need to fix anything. We need to get through. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible,” Ryerson said.