In twelve games in 2023, Chelsea with 600 million in transfers scored two goals for the first time. After ten games this year, with plenty of victories, the first defeat of the Borussia. Heads and tails for English and German with consequences. The Londoners, to the quarterfinals. Those of Dortmund, home. The Champions does not take prisoners.
The first part began and ended with Sterling as protagonist. In minute 4, hand in hand finished in a flustered way, like a clumsy striker. In minute 43, and after hitting first in a single miss, he cut back on Reus and whiplash to tie the tie. Night and day to light Stamford Bridge in opposite moods. It was a first act started eleven minutes late. The traffic made a good number of fans arrive late. Nice detail from UEFA.
He Borussia, except for the section from minute 10 to 20, it was not reported that he was at Stamford Bridge. The early injury to Brandt, the fittest German footballer, weakened the German midfield. Only a direct free kick from Reus, cleared by Kepa, intelligent by taking two previous steps to his right post, put the local frame in danger.
It was Chelsea who arrived more and better. Havertz He had it three times. One of them, on the outside of the net, destabilized after a charge to the limit of Can. Another, aborted by the stick. And the third, due to the VAR, which annulled his left-footed shot to the squad due to Sterling’s offside in the previous play. Joao Félix also had it, a moving penalty to the doll
The psychological blow of both Sterling, on the edge of the break, was multiplied by two as soon as he returned from the locker room. Makkelie, warned by the VAR, pointed to Wolf’s hand after Chilwell’s center. Havertz sent it to the post, but the rejection went to Ozcan, located in an area invaded by two Borussia players before the execution. To the second, the German repeated routine, ‘paradinha’ and to the left of Meyer. This time yes. To network. 2-0, playoff comeback.
Borussia responded. He made it 2-1 in Bellingham’s right boot, a disappointing match for the Englishman, and in another of Wolf, repelled by a strong hand from Kepa. Gallagher, Joao’s substitute, who put a face on the change —some things don’t change— made it 3-1, but the VAR annulled it for offside at the start of Sterling’s play. He gave the same. Chelsea achieved their goal. Once again among the eight best in Europe.
