Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund LIVE result: Champions League score as Sterling and Havertz send Chelsea through
Chelsea 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (agg: 2-1): The Blues impressed and, after early frustration, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz sent them into the quarter finals
A first-half goal from Raheem Sterling and a controversial penalty by Kai Havertz overturned a first-leg deficit and propelled Chelsea into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.
Just as they had in Germany three weeks ago when Dortmund won 1-0, 2021 champions Chelsea squandered chance after chance in the first half, with Germany’s Havertz hitting the post. But in the 43rd minute, Ben Chilwell crossed into the box and found England teammate Sterling.
Sterling air-kicked his first effort, then sidestepped Marco Reus and sent his second high into the net to put the teams level on aggregate.
Early in the second half a Chilwell cross smacked into the outstretched hand of defender Marius Wolf and Dutch referee Danny Makkelie gave the penalty after being called to the VAR screen. Havertz hit the keeper’s left-hand post and play resumed for a few seconds until VAR alerted Makkelie that Dortmund players had encroached into the area. Havertz retook the kick and sent the ball the same way but this time it squeezed inside the post for a 53rd-minute strike.
It was Dortmund’s first defeat following wins in their previous 10 matches and a boost for Chelsea, who have struggled for form under Graham Potter since the turn of the year. Relive all the action as Chelsea host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16:
Chelsea trail 1-0 on aggregate
Although not involved tonight, Karim Adeyemi is the reason why Chelsea trail Borussia Dortmund 1-0. Here’s a look at his goal from the first leg:
Jude Bellingham relishing Champions League return leg with Chelsea
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is certain his Borussia Dortmund side will not be intimidated by the challenge of trying to knock 2021 champions Chelsea FC out of the Champions League in three weeks’ time.
Dortmund beat the Blues 1-0 in front of 81,365 at a sold-out Signal Iduna Park thanks to a sublime solo effort from Karim Adeyemi in the second half, the first time since 2016 Dortmund had beaten Premier League opposition in Europe.
A second-leg victory at Stamford Bridge on March 7 would book Bellingham’s side their fifth trip to the quarter-finals since the round of 16 was introduced, a prospect the 19-year-old is already relishing.
“It’ll be a brilliant experience for us,” he told CBS Sports Golazo.
Jude Bellingham relishing Champions League return leg with Chelsea
Borussia Dortmund took a 1-0 lead from Wednesday’s first leg in Germany
Pre-match thoughts from Graham Potter
Here’s Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, speaking to BT Sport about tonight’s game before kick off.
Chelsea vs Dortmund
The delay to kick off is due to the fact that Borussia Dortmund arrived late to the ground and they have been given more time to warm-up and prepare for kick off.
Chelsea vs Dortmund
The warm-ups are well underway at Stamford Bridge. There has also been an announcement that kick off will be delayed by 10 minutes.
James starts for Chelsea
Reece James is ready to go for Chelsea. The Blues tend to play their best football when he and Ben Chilwell perform well as the wingbacks.
Both are included in the starting XI so can Graham Potter’s men get themselves through to the last eight?
Graham Potter’s future on the line as Chelsea face season-defining clash
As Todd Boehly walked through Stamford Bridge in Chelsea-emblazoned gear, this ownership still insistent on the grand plan that there are so many inefficiencies in football to be exploited, he also found that one of the game’s truths is immutable. Nothing solves problems like a single win.
That was very much the feel around the club as Graham Potter gathered the squad for the crucial Champions League return against Borussia Dortmund. There was a lift, and an extra lightness, after Saturday’s 1-0 win against Leeds. Training has been that bit easier. The timing may even be all the better.
As bad as this season has been for Chelsea, and as hapless as they have appeared in even the last few weeks, the Champions League represents opportunity. It’s still there to be gone for. And while it may seem a leap to go from discussion of one of the club’s worst recent managers to being the champions of Europe, both are naturally overplayed.
Graham Potter’s future on the line as Chelsea face season-defining clash
The Chelsea manager has faced challenges out of his control but is in a race against time to prove his worth; progress tonight against Borussia Dortmund could change everything
Potter on Sterling
Raheem Sterling is Chelsea’s leading goalscorer this season with six which goes to show just how difficult they have found it to get the ball in the back of the net.
Although Sterling is yet to reach the same levels he showed at Manchester City, manager Graham Potter is confident that he can be the difference between progressing to the quarter-finals or getting knocked out of the Champions League.
"His goalscoring record in the Champions League speaks for itself," said Potter.
"He’s a proven campaigner in that competition. We’re delighted with that, we’re looking forward to having him on the pitch on Tuesday, hopefully enjoying his football."
‘We want to make it tough’ says Potter
"We want to make sure it’s tough for Dortmund away from home in the Champions League - and we need our supporters for that," Chelsea boss Graham Potter said.
"It’s a big game, an exciting game to go to the last eight - it will be a special night at Stamford Bridge.
"We’ve had some games where we could have scored more than one and we need that performance tomorrow night. We’re playing against a top team, a team that is in a good place with the wins they’ve had."
What do Chelsea need to do to advance?
To advance into the Champions League quarter-finals Graham Potter’s side will have to score two goals in 90 minutes to overcom the first leg deficit. It would be the first time they’ve netted multiple times in a match since 27th December.
The Blues could also get through if they keep a cleansheet and score once but his route means taking the tie to extra-time and winning a penalty shootout.
Should Dortmund score at any point Chelsea would need to match them +1 or else they are out of the competition.
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