Borussia Dortmund beat Chelsea to open Champions League Round of 16 lead

Borussia Dortmund beat Chelsea to open Champions League Round of 16 lead

For the first leg of the round of 16 of the Europe Champions Leagueo Borussia Dortmund received the Chelsea this Wednesday, at Signal Iduna Park, in Dortmund (ALE), and won by 1 to 0. Young Adeyemi, aged 21, scored a great goal to give victory to the hosts.

Thus, the German team starts ahead in the dispute for a place in the quarterfinals of the continental competition. The team plays for a draw in the second match to advance to the next phase. In the event of a victory for the English by a goal difference, the decision will go to overtime and, persisting equality on the aggregate score, will be decided on penalties.

Now, the teams wait three weeks to face each other again. The return match will take place on March 7 (Tuesday), starting at 5 pm (Brasília time), at Stamford Bridge, in London (ING).

Before that, however, both teams turn their attention to their respective national competitions. Next Saturday, therefore, Chelsea will receive last-placed Southampton, at noon, for the 24th round of the English Premier League. The next day, starting at 1:30 pm, Borussia Dortmund plays again at home, against Hertha Berlin, for the 21st round of the German Championship.

The match between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea

Even under the great pressure of the fanatical German crowd, Chelsea were the first to be in danger. In the 15th minute of the first half, Thiago Silva completed a free kick in the area and scored. However, the Brazilian deflected the ball with his hand and then the goal was disallowed. In addition, the defender received a yellow card.

At 30 minutes, Ziyech made a good individual move and rolled for João Félix to hit inside the area. The Portuguese, however, missed the target and sent it over Kobel’s goal. Two minutes later, it was Dortmund’s turn to arrive. After a rehearsed corner, Adeyemi finished strong, but also above the target, this time, defended by Kepa.

Even before the end of the first half, at 37 minutes, the English club hit the crossbar, in another chance by João Félix. The number 11 received it from Havertz, took it off the marker and hit goalkeeper Kobel, but the ball went towards the top pole.

Home owners decide in the second stage

On the return of the break, both teams scared the opposing defenses. Chelsea, with a free kick by Recce James, in the 9th minute, and a placed shot by Enzo Fernández, in the 12th minute. In the previous minute, Dortmund had arrived with Brandt, who deflected Adeyemi’s first cross, but stopped in a firm defense from Kepa.

Despite Blues some pressure, it was the hosts who finally opened the scoring at Signal Iduna Park. Raphael Guerreiro cleared Chelsea’s corner and brought on Adeyemi, who pulled off the counterattack alone, beat Enzo Fernández in the run and even dribbled past Kepa before pushing into the empty net.

After the setback, the English team increased the pressure even more to seek at least a draw. So, in the 32nd minute, Koulibaly received it inside the area and kicked hard. Goalkeeper Kobel got the touch, but the ball went through. Emre Can then threw himself to take out over the line.

Finally, at 36 minutes, Havertz received a deep pass, charged until he invaded the area and fell when he felt the touch of Sule, who was on the line. However, the referee ordered the game to continue. Already in the additions, Enzo Fernández finished from outside the area, with category, but stopped in another great defense by Kobel.


Source: Gazetaesportiva

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