Numerous expertise, however not the outcomes to match. It is changing into a well-recognized story for Chelsea.
Regardless of spending document sums on new signings, Chelsea fell brief as soon as once more in a 1-0 loss at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and might want to enhance within the second leg to keep away from elimination within the Champions League spherical of 16.
Karim Adeyemi sprinted the size of the sector to attain the one aim on a lightning counterattack after Chelsea created — and missed — lots of the greatest probabilities.
After Chelsea’s João Félix missed a headed likelihood on a nook, the German crew launched into the counter as Adeyemi surged down the sector, beating Enzo Fernández earlier than rounding goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and scoring into the empty internet.
Ranging from the sting of his personal penalty space, Adeyemi picked up the ball from a clearance and wanted fewer than 9 seconds to attain on the different finish. He celebrated with a backflip.
Kalidou Koulibaly was on the coronary heart of the Chelsea protection however almost rescued a draw for his crew on the different finish. Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel could not maintain Koulibaly’s low shot within the 78th minute and the ball rolled onto the aim line earlier than Emre Can hooked it away to maintain Dortmund forward.
Fernández — Chelsea’s costly signing final month — almost scored a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time however the World Cup winner from Argentina noticed his curling shot saved by Kobel.
“There was a little bit of luck in there for us and an excellent efficiency from our goalkeeper,” Dortmund coach Edin Terzic advised DAZN.
It was Dortmund’s seventh win in a row, whereas Chelsea has one victory from 9 video games general in 2023 as supervisor Graham Potter tries to combine new faces.
“It was a really sturdy efficiency from us, particularly within the second half. Total, we created a number of probabilities, had a number of efforts on aim,” Potter advised broadcaster BT Sport.
“In fact we’re upset with the aim we conceded however I assumed we have been the dominant crew within the second half. We have to regroup and assault the sport at Stamford Bridge.”
Chelsea was allowed so as to add solely three of its 9 January arrivals to its Champions League squad, however Félix, Fernández and Mykhailo Mudryk have been all within the beginning lineup and all posed a menace.
With Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly watching from the stands, Félix had the 2 greatest probabilities of a primary half wherein neither crew had a shot on the right track. Thiago Silva put the ball into the web for Chelsea early on however used his hand to do it.
Félix hit one likelihood over the aim and smashed one other shot in opposition to the bar. Chelsea’s tempo and hazard on the counter had been clear for the reason that second minute, when solely a superbly timed deal with from Nico Schlotterbeck stopped Mudryk going via on aim. Chelsea piled on extra strain early within the second half earlier than Adeyemi’s aim on the counter modified the sport.
Dortmund — captained by 19-year-old Jude Bellingham — was busy too, with Julian Brandt after which Adeyemi moving into good positions solely to hesitate, permitting Chelsea defenders to dam the photographs.
Sébastien Haller, making his European debut for Dortmund after lacking the entire first half of the season whereas being handled for testicular most cancers, struggled to make an influence in opposition to the Chelsea protection and hit his greatest likelihood in opposition to the aspect netting.
Benfica proceed profitable run
Benfica stay a harmful attacking crew regardless of shedding Enzo Fernández to Chelsea.
João Mário scored from the penalty spot and substitute David Neres added a second aim with two minutes left Wednesday as Benfica took a step towards the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over Membership Brugge within the first leg of their final 16 tie.
Benfica gamers’ superior technical expertise have been on show all through the night they usually made probably the most of almost each possession to create hazard. They may have left the Flanders metropolis with much more room to breathe, however a little bit of clumsiness up entrance value them additional targets.
João Mário put the guests within the lead after 51 minutes and Neres made probably the most of a defensive error to make it 2-0 with a low end.
“If you play the primary leg of a tie away from residence and win, it’s an excellent first step,” Benfica coach Roger Schmidt stated.
Benfica are actually unbeaten in its final eight video games within the Champions League, with 5 wins and three attracts. The victory over the Belgian champions marked the primary time for the reason that 2005-06 season that the Lisbon membership has gained three video games in a row within the European competitors.