Potter’s Chelsea Register Rare Win in UCL; Beat Dortmund to qualify for Quarter Finals
Out of form, Chelsea beat the in-form Borussia Dortmund to get in the Quarter-finals of the Champions League Quarter-finals.
Before getting into the game, Dortmund had won their last 10 games in all competitions while Chelsea had won only 3.
However, Dortmund had lost their previous 5 visits to England, making it 6. The win meant a lot for Graham Potter and Chelsea after a tough run of games while Dortmund were unbeaten in 2023.
Dortmund were forced to make an early substitution in the 5th minute after kick-off as Julian Brandt left the field with a hamstring injury and Giovanni Reyna came in for him. Chelsea dominated most of the first half creating a lot of chances but failed to score. Marc Cucurella was the UEFA Man of the Match for his impressive performance.
Both Goals Came With Hustle For Chelsea.
Chelsea scored 2 goals in a match for the first time in 2023. Kai Havertz hit the right post in the 27th minute and later at the bottom of the upper post in the 37th minute which went in, but Sterling was caught offside. Chelsea kept attacking and Raheem Sterling found the back of the net in the 42nd minute beating Reus in a sloppy manner after a cross from Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea later won a penalty in the 48th minute of a handball from Marius Wolf as Ben Chilwell tried to cross the ball in the box. Kai Havertz took and missed it but was lucky as the penalty had to be re-taken because Ben Chilwell was pushed in the box by Sule during the run-up. Havertz was calm this time and converted the penalty.
Managers Say On The Game
After the game, Graham Potter said that “There was a fantastic feeling in the dressing room. We have been through a tough period and this competition means a lot for us. We wanted to progress and get into the last eight as it sets us up for the next few weeks.”
Dortmund boss Edin Terzic said “We have to say, over the course of two games, Chelsea deserves to go through. Both legs were very tight games. In this type of game inches and moments decide if you are going to the next round or not.”
