Italian football faces a series of crucial return legs in European competitions. Juventus Turin, after a painful 2-5 defeat in Istanbul, prepares for a clash with Galatasaray, which the media has dubbed a "mission impossible." Meanwhile, the atmosphere around Atalanta's match against Borussia Dortmund is thickening due to a boycott by visiting fans and a diplomatic spat between the two clubs' managements. In the Conference League, Fiorentina hosts Jagiellonia Białystok, trying to avoid distraction ahead of league challenges.

Borussia Fans' Boycott

Organized fan groups from Dortmund are refusing to travel to Bergamo in protest against the actions of Italian police.

Juventus's Mission Impossible

The Turin side must overturn the deficit after a 2-5 defeat to avoid early elimination from the Champions League.

Diplomatic Scandal in Bergamo

Atalanta canceled the meeting with the BVB board, increasing tension between the clubs ahead of the return leg.

Fiorentina Rotates Squad

Despite a high lead over Jagiellonia, coach Vanoli calls for full focus and plans to rest key players.

The upcoming return legs in European cups bring extreme emotions to Italian camps, combining sporting determination with off-field controversies. Juventus faces the daunting task of overturning a three-goal deficit from the match in Turkey. Coach Spalletti has focused on intensive psychological work, believing that an early goal could change the tie's fate. In attack, the key figure is expected to be Kenan Yildiz, on whom fans are counting to break down Galatasaray's defense. The situation is complicated by echoes of recent red cards and the tense atmosphere around Pierre Kalulu, who faced a wave of media criticism after a controversial suspension in the league. Simultaneously in Bergamo, a conflict is escalating that overshadows the sporting rivalry between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund. The Italian club's management took the unprecedented step of canceling the official dinner with the BVB board, causing consternation in Germany. An even stronger reaction comes from the decision by Dortmund ultras groups to boycott the match. Fans accuse Italian police of unjustified repression, including hotel raids and restrictive checks that prevented hundreds of supporters from entering the stadium. Coach Niko Kovac warns his players that despite a two-goal advantage, the match in Bergamo will be "hot" mentally. The tradition of official diplomatic dinners between club managements during the Champions League knockout phase dates back to the competition's beginnings and is considered an element of UEFA's unassailable ethos aimed at building bridges across divides. In lower-tier cups, Italian coaches are relying on cold calculation. Paolo Vanoli, leading Fiorentina, warns against underestimating Jagiellonia Białystok, despite the 3-0 result from the first match. The Tuscan team plans squad rotation to preserve energy for a crucial league match against Udinese. Meanwhile, Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna's coach, is grappling with a plague of injuries in the defensive line ahead of the match against Norwegian side Brann. Italiano recalls the lesson from Bodo/Glimt, pointing out that Scandinavian teams can be ruthless against favorites who lose focus. „Voglio uscire dal campo senza rimpianti. Ci crediamo, è un sogno che vuole tutta Bergamo.” (I want to leave the pitch with no regrets. We believe in it, it's a dream that all of Bergamo wants.) — Raffaele Palladino

Mentioned People

  • Luciano Spalletti — Juventus Turin coach facing the task of overturning the deficit in the Champions League.
  • Raffaele Palladino — Atalanta Bergamo coach rallying fans ahead of the match against BVB.
  • Niko Kovac — Borussia Dortmund coach warning his team about the return leg in Italy.
  • Paolo Vanoli — Fiorentina coach preparing the team for the return leg against Jagiellonia.
  • Kenan Yildiz — Young Juventus talent, tipped to start in the lineup against Galatasaray.