After epic Borussia Dortmund collapse, Bayern Munich will face Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta in Champions League

Bayern Munich’s path through the Champions League knockout stage became clearer on Wednesday night, but only after Borussia Dortmund produced one of the competition’s more stunning implosions. Dortmund arrived in Bergamo protecting a 2-0 aggregate lead against Atalanta, yet within ninety frantic minutes the Serie A side flipped the tie on its head, storming to a 4-1 victory that sent them through 4-3 on aggregate.

The result books Atalanta’s place in the Round of 16 and leaves Bayern waiting to discover whether they will meet the Italian club or Bundesliga counterpart Bayer Leverkusen, who eased past Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate. The draw will decide which of the two German hopefuls faces the record champions next.

For Dortmund, the reversal is a bitter setback just days before Der Klassiker against Bayern, amplifying pressure on a squad that now must regroup quickly or risk further damage to its domestic campaign.

Bayern, meanwhile, can prepare for the next European test knowing only two potential opponents remain in their section of the bracket. The official list of qualified teams continues to take shape, but the identity of Bayern’s adversary is now narrowed to either Leverkusen or Atalanta, both of whom carry momentum into the last 16.