Dortmund edged Chelsea 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg played at the Westfalenstadion thanks to Karim Adeyemi’s lone goal.
It was the first time these two were meeting in a UEFA competition, and the Blues left it bruised. Their winless run in all competitions now stretches to four games.
While Chelsea were being made to wait for a second win this year, Edin Terzic’s men ended an eleven-game streak without winning against an English opposition.
The game kicked-off with Graham Potter’s team showing enthusiasm! They were in command as Dortmund looked vulnerable, and that showed when Mykhailo Mudryk burst down the left flank but thanks to Nico Schlotterbeck who was in the right place at the right time, the Ukrainian couldn’t cause any damage.
Chelsea showed glimpses of fluidity when Joao Felix linked well with Kai Havertz but erratic finishing let the team down. The Portuguese came close to grabbing the opener but was denied by the cross bar. Potter’s men continued to dominate and had a goal disallowed when Thiago Silva was adjudged to have caught the ball.
Dortmund gradually grew into the game and they came close to breaking the deadlock but Sebastien Haller who was playing his first Champions League game since recovering from testicular cancer fired wide. Julian Brandt also had his curling effort narrowly miss the target before the halftime break.
After recess, Chelsea kept searching for a breakthrough. Recce James was fouled on the edge of the box, but Gregory Kobel dealt with the resultant freekick.
The London outfit then dropped their guard, and were made to pay for it. On the break, Karim Adeyemi who had proved to be a menace to the visitors for much of the contest broke the deadlock in 62nd minute.
The exciting 21-year-old winger picked up a loose ball from their half, dribbled past Enzo Fernandez, rounded up the advancing Kepa Arrizabalaga before placing the ball into an empty net for the game’s lone goal.
Chelsea charged at Dortmund relentlessly in search for an equalizer but the Bundesliga outfit was equal to the challenge.
They almost got the equaliser but Kalidou Koulibaly was denied by Kobel who was outstanding in goal on the night.
Dortmund held on to the win which they will carry to the Stamford Bridge where the return leg will take place on March 7.
