Borussia Dortmund bid farewell to the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Atalanta in the second leg of the knockout round, failing to reach the round of 16 despite their 2-0 victory in the first leg.

The match witnessed a dramatic ending, as the decisive goal came from a penalty kick in the 98th minute of injury time, following an intervention that resulted in a foul and the expulsion of one of the German team's players, completely turning the scenario around in the final moments.

The European elimination was a major shock for the club's management and fans, especially since the team was relying on continuing in the tournament to enhance its continental presence this season.

This disappointment comes just a few days before a tough match in the German league against Bayern Munich, which increases the technical and moral pressure on the coaching staff and players during a critical stage of the season.

On the financial front, while the club had hoped to achieve a balance or slight profits, it now expects to record a deficit ranging between 12 and 22 million euros. This is due to the loss of revenue from qualifying for the Round of 16, which would have brought in approximately 11 million euros, in addition to extra marketing and broadcasting bonuses.

The exclusion quickly impacted the stock market, with the club's shares dropping by more than 6 percent following the incident. This development is expected to affect upcoming transfer plans, as the team will attempt to reorganize and focus on local competitions to ensure a return to the European stage next season.