For a long time, the German striker thought that bad luck would never be averted. A post, a superb goal disallowed then a missed penalty, nothing smiled on him. But by dint of perseverance, Kai Havertz ended up scoring. And took the opportunity to offer the qualification to his own (2-0).
He had not been decisive since January 15 in a victory against Crystal Palace (1-0). Like his team, the 23-year-old has shown a glaring lack of success in recent weeks. And the start of the Blues game on Tuesday night was of the same ilk. Launched by João Félix, also in good shape, Havertz missed the target on his first attempt (8th).
Twenty minutes later, the German found the post this time, on a left-footed recovery at the entrance to the area. Before lodging a superb strike in the skylight (38th), this time refused for an offside by Raheem Sterling at the start of the action.
Graham Potter and his players must then think they were definitely cursed. Chelsea dominated the first period and took advantage of the space behind the Dortmund defenders to multiply the chances on transitions. Despite this, the German bolt did not jump.
Chelsea finally lucky
The success finally turned on the side of the Londoners just before half-time. In the 44th minute, Raheem Sterling missed his attempt on a back cross from Ben Chilwell. But the ball remained in his feet and, after a favorable counter, he adjusted Alexander Meyer (1-0). Stamford Bridge could exult.
The start of the second half was in the same vein. Marius Wolf deflected a center from Ben Chilwell with his hand in his area. After the intervention of the VAR, Danny Makkelie designated the penalty spot (48th). What happened next told the whole story of Kai Havertz’s game: from sorrow to joy.
The attacker struck a first time and took Meyer on the wrong foot. But his shot failed on the left upright of the German goalkeeper. Except that the Londoner received a second chance. Several players had entered the box before his shot. He chose the same area but this time, the ball ended up in the goal (2-0, 53rd).
Benfica wide winner
Chelsea are finally chasing their ghosts after scoring two goals in the same game for the first time in 2023. Against them, Dortmund did not show the same ease as in the league. Second in the Bundesliga, Edin Terzić’s team was not dangerous enough. The Germans also lost their midfielder Julian Brandt to injury in the fourth minute.
In the other match of the evening, Benfica easily won against Bruges. Winners 2-0 in the first leg in Belgium, the Portuguese won 5-1 in front of their home crowd. The Lisbon club, from the same pool as Paris Saint-Gremain, is still undefeated in the Champions League this season.
