Karim Adeyemi’s sensible breakaway purpose for Borussia Dortmund means Chelsea have a 1-0 deficit to beat following the primary leg of their Champions League spherical of 16 tie.

Graham Potter’s facet had the higher probabilities amid a boisterous environment in Germany however Thiago Silva had a purpose disallowed for handball and Joao Felix hit the crossbar when nicely positioned. Ademeyi’s solo run punished their earlier profligacy simply after the hour mark.

It was merciless on Chelsea given their efficiency. As soon as behind they pushed laborious for the equaliser and got here shut when Kalidou Koulibaly had his fierce shot cleared off the road by Emre Can. However they have to now come from behind at Stamford Bridge to progress.

The defeat on the night time signifies that Chelsea have now gained solely as soon as in 9 matches for the reason that flip of the yr and although Potter may have been inspired by a few of what he noticed, this was additional proof that this can be a crew nonetheless discovering methods to not seize victory.

How Dortmund gained it on the night time

The stress-free of restrictions in the summertime that had beforehand required momentary seating to be put in on the huge Sudtribune for European competitors meant that the knockout levels of the Champions League have been handled to the complete Dortmund expertise.

The terrace was packed over one hour earlier than kick-off, a cacophony of boos greeting the Chelsea gamers for his or her warm-up not to mention the sport itself. With confidence fragile, cohesion fledgling, it made for a frightening check for Potter’s crew.

They performed on the counter-attack within the first half however there have been alternatives. Thiago Silva had a purpose disallowed for handball from Reece James’ left-wing free-kick earlier than Joao Felix spurned two glorious probabilities to present Chelsea the lead on the break.

The primary noticed his measured shot fly over the bar. The second, on his weaker left foot, got here again off the crossbar having been arrange by Kai Havertz. Together with the speedy Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea seemed potent with house to run into however couldn’t make it depend.

Dortmund, for all their first-half possession, had little clear-cut for Kepa Arrizabalaga to cope with, Sebastien Haller’s shot on the angle being as shut as they got here. Captained by the combative Jude Bellingham, they provided simply sufficient to maintain the group in it.

The sport flipped within the second half, Chelsea taking management and testing the goalkeeper by means of James, whereas Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez had efforts blocked. Simply because the momentum was with them, they have been uncovered on the again by Adeyemi.

One-on-one with Fernandez, he outpaced the backtracking midfielder and rounded Kepa earlier than slotting low into the web. The noise contained in the stadium was extraordinary. The Chelsea gamers appeared in shock. It’s turning into an unlucky behavior.

Dortmund have been jittery thereafter because the away facet tried to style an equaliser, Fernandez forcing a positive save from the wonderful Gregor Kobel from the sting of the field. However the Chelsea supporters within the stadium have been left bereft by their crew’s failure to conjure a purpose.

Talking the night time earlier than concerning the hyperlink between assets and outcomes, Potter had noticed that the fantastic thing about soccer is that two plus two doesn’t all the time equal 4 on this sport. Proper now, Chelsea proceed to look lower than the sum of their costly elements.

What’s subsequent?

Chelsea are again in Premier League motion on Saturday afternoon once they host the underside membership Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

There are additional Premier League video games towards Tottenham and Leeds earlier than Chelsea welcome Dortmund for the return leg of this tie on March 7.