Borussia Dortmund have defensive woes going into their Champions League first leg play-off against Atalanta as German internationals Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle are sidelined with injury.

Dortmund said that Schlotterbeck is nursing muscular problems and Süle a thigh muscle injury which rules them out of Tuesday's match.

Emre Can is also not available against the 2024 Europa League winners from Bergamo due to groin problems which could lead to a starting 11 debut for teenager Luca Reggiani.

The good news for Dortmund is that star striker Serhou Guirassy is finbding the net again. He managed only six goals in the first 19 Bundesliga games but has added five in the last three, including a brace in Friday's 4-0 over Mainz.

"We need his goals, they are always important," said coach Niko Kovac, who backed Guirassy throughout his drought. "We he scores it raises the chance to win games."

Dortmund have won their last six Bundesliga matches to rank second. But they have only won one of their last seven continental games against Italian clubs, and lost 2-0 at home against Inter Milan last month.