With world champion Enzo Fernández starting, Chelsea lost today against Borussia Dortmund 1-0, at Signal Iduna Park, for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 and must win at home to qualify for the next stage of the contest.
Regarding the match, in the first stage, the development was even, although both teams played differently. The German cast bet on handling the ball, while the London club focused on counterattacking with their wingers.
The clearest action was for Chelsea and it occurred after 37 minutes when Kai Havertz put a precise assist for the Portuguese Joao Félix, who got rid of his mark in the area, but his shot hit the crossbar.
In the supplement, the cast led by Graham Potter started better and tested the reflexes of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. However, at minute 62, through a lethal counterattack, Borussia Dortmund opened the scoring thanks to Karim Adeyemi. The German youth perfectly controlled a long ball, made a great run, got rid of Enzo Fernández, who tried to interrupt his path, and after dribbling Kepa scored the 1 to 0.
Chelsea went in search of an equalizer and was very close to achieving it with a strong shot from Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly. Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel deflected the ball and needed the save over the line of German Enre Can.
Shortly after, Enzo Fernández enabled Joao Félix, but the weak definition of the Portuguese ended up in the hands of Kobel.
In the last moments of the match, a classy shot by Enzo Fernández, at the door of the area, was deflected by Kobel, who prevented equality and crowned a spectacular performance.
With this result, Chelsea must win in the second leg, to be played in London on March 7, to get into the quarterfinals of the continental competition.
