The first ever clash between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea resulted in a 1-0 UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16 first-leg win for Der BVB, with a solitary goal from Karim Adeyemi breaking the German side’s 12-match winless streak against British clubs.
Despite their shocking recent form in the Premier League, two-time UCL champions Chelsea have been a different beast in this competition since Graham Potter’s appointment, winning each of their final four group matches.
Nevertheless, there was quality on display from both sides, and the Blues were actually the first to have the ball in the net when a Reece James free kick was turned in by Thiago Silva, but the referee adjudged the ball to have touched the Brazilian’s hand on its way in.
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Dortmund’s midfield continued to dominate proceedings, and Sébastien Haller could only find the side netting following some direct running from the influential Julian Brandt, but Chelsea were to have arguably the best chance of the first period.
In turn, right-back Reece James was to become their greatest attacking threat, as he hit the target with both a direct free kick and a looping volley shortly after HT.
However, their commitment to attack left them short at the back, and Karim Adeyemi – a recent Bundesliga sprint speed record breaker – punished them with an immense show of pace, darting from his own half and into the Chelsea box.
The Blues, meanwhile, have now gone ten away matches without a win in all competitions.
