Dortmund strikes blow in Champions League with narrow home win over Chelsea

Borussia Dortmund won the first game with Chelsea at home 1-0 in the Champions League eighth finals. Chelsea can polish off this result on Tuesday, March 7, as the return will be at Stamford Bridge.

In the first half the game undulated up and down. Among other things, Dortmund became dangerous through a shot by Sébastien Haller, who played his last Champions League game for Ajax last March. The Frenchman has been back in Dortmund’s selection since January after being cured of testicular cancer.

Despite Haller’s shot, the biggest chances in the first half were for Chelsea. After 15 minutes, Thiago Silva appeared to score, but his goal was rightly disallowed because the Brazilian had touched the ball with his hand.

After half an hour, João Félix shot over from close range. Seven minutes later, the Portuguese, rented from Atlético, tipped the ball onto the crossbar.

Also at the beginning of the second half, Chelsea was more emphatic than Dortmund in search of a goal. The 2021 Champions League winner also once again had the biggest opportunities.

Nevertheless, Dortmund took the lead. After a chance for Chelsea, the Germans struck on the counter. Karim Adeyemi pulled off an impressive sprint with the ball at foot, bypassed Enzo Fernández and Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa and slid in.

Chelsea, England’s number ten, continued to press. For example, the zealous Hakim Ziyech managed to find Kalidou Koulibaly about fifteen minutes before time. His shot slipped through the hands of Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. However, the ball was turned just before the line by Emre Can.

Just before the final whistle, the goalkeeper did show his best side. He turned away a dangerous shot by Marc Cucurrella. So the ball didn’t want to go in for Chelsea, allowing Germany’s number three to finish the match victoriously.