Chelsea lose at Dortmund setting up a charged return leg

Adeyemi says fufu is responsible for his speedy genes

UCL Chelsea lose at Dortmund setting up a charged return leg

Faruq Ibrahim 23:13 - 15.02.2023

Karim Adeyemi's strike helped Dortmund beat Chelsea in the first-leg of their Champions League encounter.

A world-class goalkeeping performance from Grogor Kobel and a strike from Karim Adeyemi helped Dortmund to a 1-0 win against an unlucky Chelsea.

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Dortmund hosted Graham Potter's men in the first-leg of their Champions League encounter. Chelsea did not manage to take anything from their trip, as Adeyemi's strike helped the home side take the advantage into the return leg.

It was a game of two halves, with Dortmund dominating the first-half, and the second-half being about Chelsea. Dortmund's goal came somewhat against the run of play with Adeyemi's strike in the 63rd minute.

Adeyemi score the only goal of the game
Adeyemi score the only goal of the game

The slender victory for Dortmund means there's all to play for in the return leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks.

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How it happened

Dortmund continued their impressive performances at Signal Iduna Park, where they have won all six games played at home in 2023. Die Schwarzgelben dominated the first-half, but Chelsea had their chances as well and even managed to turn the ball into the back of the net from a Reece James free kick scored by Thiago Silva, but the Brazilian was ruled to have handled the ball before scoring.

Thiago Silva's goal was chopped off for handball
Thiago Silva's goal was chopped off for handball

Both sides continued to threaten to register on the scoresheet, with new boys Sebastien Haller and Joao Felix failing to convert chances that could put their team ahead.

Chelsea stepped up their game in the second-half, and a quick flurry of attacks after the break saw Reece James come close to scoring twice, from a free-kick and a volley. Chelsea pinned Dortmund back in their own half, and it came at a cost: space behind. Karim Adeyemi broke efficiently from his half into the Chelsea area before going around a helpless Kepa Arrizabalaga to finish in a vacated net.

Dortmund Gregor Kobel
Dortmund Gregor Kobel

The goal came against the run of play, and Chelsea intensified their dominance, but impressive goalkeeping from Gregor Kobel and gutsy defending from his backline meant Adeyemi's strike was enough to earn them the home victory.

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Chelses poor away form continues

Chelsea's task in this tie was a difficult one: defeating a Dortmund side that have won all their games at home this season.

The subsequent result becomes even less surprising when you recall that Chelsea are winless in all of their last ten away games in all competitions.