View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Misfiring Chelsea Fall To Dortmund

Misfiring Chelsea Fall To Dortmund

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 15: Joao Felix of Chelsea reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea FC at Signal Iduna Park on February 15, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Chelsea

Chelsea are on the back foot in the round of 16 after a narrow 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the first-leg at Signal Iduna Park.

The Blues made three changes from their draw against West Ham United in the Premier League, as Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ben Chilwell were all recalled.

Dortmund, meanwhile, were without Youssouf Moukoko as Sebastien Haller came in to lead the line on his Champions League debut for the club.

The game was open in the early stages but Chelsea had better clear-cut chances after the half-hour mark as Joao Felix firstly struck his shot over the crossbar with only goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to beat.

A couple of minutes later Felix eventually got the better of Kobel with a chipped shot but his effort came off the crossbar.

The German side absorbed the pressure early in the second stanza and caught the Blues on a counter-attack just after the hour-mark as Karim Adeyemi raced clear on goal from a through ball, got past shot-stopper Kepa and scored into an empty net.

Graham Potter's charges were spirited after that and Koulibaly came close to netting the equaliser with 12 minutes to go after his thumping shot in the box slipped past the fingers of Kobel towards the goal-line but Emre Can made the vital clearance.

Enzo Fernandez had a cracking curler plucked out of the top corner by Kobel in stoppage time, as Chelsea will have all to do at Stamford Bridge in the second-leg.

Club Brugge 0-2 Benfica

Benfica took a considerable advantage in the round of 16 first-leg after beating Club Brugge 2-0 at Jan Breydel Stadion.

Benfica altered their front-line, as Goncalo Ramos started ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Goncalo Guedes.

As for Brugge, they also changed leading striker Roman Yaremchuk, who was replaced by Kamal Sowah.

After the Portuguese side saw more of the ball in the early stages, the game opened up after the half-hour mark but the visitors got the closest to going ahead as Rafa had a shot that came off the post from a set-piece routine.

Denis Odoi found the back of the net for Brugge on the stroke of half-time with a deflected header but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Benfica had a perfect start in the second stanza after they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ramos in the box and Joao Mario lashed a strike that goalkeeper Simon Mignolet got a hand to but could only deflect in off the crossbar.

The Eagles were happy to sit back in numbers deep in the second stanza and David Neres eventually put them out of sight with two minutes to go after he won possession high up the pitch.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments. 

Click here to register!

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

Lepasa Lands Exciting Deal After Pirates Exit

Aug 01, 2025 02:11 PM in Fan Park

10 European Stars Eligible To Play For SA

Jul 30, 2025 08:09 AM in SA-Players-Abroad

Chiefs Slammed For Releasing Downs Target 

Aug 02, 2025 11:59 AM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Pirates Drop Training Gallery – And Ndah Is in It!

Aug 01, 2025 05:27 PM in Orlando-Pirates

European Interest Prompts Chiefs Contract Action

Jul 30, 2025 12:02 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Chiefs' Starlet At Career Crossroads

Aug 01, 2025 10:47 AM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Guardiola Confirms Coaching Hiatus After Man City Stint

Jul 31, 2025 06:52 AM in English-Premier-League

Pirates Coaching Change: De Sa Shares Honest Take

Aug 01, 2025 08:49 AM in Orlando-Pirates

Ex-PSL Boss Folz 'Plans' SA Pre-Season For Yanga

Jul 31, 2025 06:58 AM in African Football

Lepasa Lands Exciting Deal After Pirates Exit

Aug 01, 2025 02:11 PM in Fan Park