Without options in any other competition, the ‘blue’ team is playing the season -and Potter his future- in the Champions League
The German team starts with a favorable 1-0 win in the first leg and is immersed in a streak of 10 consecutive victories
He Chelseathe team that invested the most in the ‘winter market’, but without obtaining the expected results, this Tuesday faces a ‘life or death’ round of the round of 16 of the Champions League, since it is practically the only thing that remains of season, before a Borussia Dortmund who arrives with the advantage of the first leg (1-0) and on a positive streak.
This round of 16 is truly a life or death match for the Chelseabecause the only thing that remains of the season is played: the ‘Champions’, and because in case of falling Graham Potter you may run out of credit.
With just six wins since he replaced Thomas Tuchel in September, Potter He is among the worst coaches in the history of the game. Chelsea By numbers and if he doesn’t reach the quarterfinals, he will not only be left without incentives this season, but also maybe without a job.
The lack of a goal is a very big penalty when it comes to facing a comeback and it is that the Chelsea they have barely scored two goals in their last seven games. His numbers against goal are on par with those of the bottom team in the Premier and despite the investment in winter, of more than 330 million, they have not found a reliable striker.
In fact, the winning goal this Saturday was scored by a central defender, Wesley Fofana, and the previous Joao Félix. The last goal of a ‘nine’ in this Chelsea did Kai Havertz against him Crystal Palace last January 15.
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In addition, for this match they have the casualties of Thiago Silva, Mason Mount, N’golo Kanté, César Azpilicueta, Edward Mendy y Armando Broja. The doubt of Potter It is whether to form with the usual 3-4-3 or whether to vary to a more offensive 4-2-3-1. In any case, it is quite possible for the three attackers from the victory against Leeds to repeat: Sterling, Félix y Havertzcon Fernández y Kovacic behind.
There Potter will have to decide between playing with Félix in a band or as ’10’, if he opts for one more attacker (Mudryk o Ziyech) or by a center. The decision can be decanted by the fact that Benoit Badiashile was not registered in the Champions League and, together with the loss of Silvahe Chelsea do not have so many options for the rear. The English coach hopes to recover for this duel Reece Jameswho due to physical problems missed the weekend’s victory against Leeds.
Dortmund, with the wind in favor
He Borussia Dortmund arrives at the second leg against him Chelsea not only with the minimal advantage given by the 1-0 in the first leg, but also in the midst of a 10-game winning streak that has given security to those led by Edin Terzic. He Dortmund is tied in the Bundesliga in points with the Bayernwho is the leader only by the best goal difference and has shown signs of being able to compensate for losses at key moments.
In the last duel, against Leipzig, the starting goalkeeper Georg Kobel He had discomfort in the warm-up and his substitute, Alex Meyerhe played a very good game which is symptomatic of what is happening at the moment with him Dortmund. Those who come from the bench respond and the team continues to win.
Kobel He has traveled to London after recovering from muscular discomfort but his participation in the match is not yet decided. I was also on the flight Donel Grind who had been low against the Leipzig. On the other hand, there are two important players in the attacking part who will surely not be there due to injury, who are Youssufa Moukoko y Karim Adeyemiauthor of the only goal in the first leg against Chelsea.
He Dortmund will not have Julian Ryersonpenalized for accumulation of yellow cards, so with almost absolute certainty the left back will be for the Portuguese Raphael Warrior. Otherwise, after the match against the Leipzig Terzic He has little reason to think about changes to the starting XI unless he has to consider player attrition issues.
The central couple formed by Nico Schlotterbeck y Niklas Süle has become almost immovable, with the permission of Mats Hummels little by little he gets used to his position on the bench. on the right side Marius Wolf He has played great games and ahead of the defense Emre Can, Jude Bellingham y Salih Ozcan They are usually the first option for a fairly balanced midfield.
in the offensive part Marco Reus He has started again, partly due to the injury of Adeyemiand usually forms the attack trio together with a Julian Brandt in great shape now Sebastien Haller who, after going through his cancer treatment, is still looking for his best version. Haller He does not usually play the ninety minutes, so it is to be expected that at some point in the second part he will be relieved by Anthony Modest the why Grind.
probable lineups
Chelsea: Cape; James, Cowboy, Flying, Chilwell; Fernandez, Kovacic, Felix; Sterling, Havertz and Ziyech.
Borussia Dortmund: Meyer o Kobel; Wolf, Süle, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro; Can; Bellingham, Özcan; Brandt, Reus; Haller.
Referee: Danny Makkeñie (NED).
Estadio: Stamford Bridge, de Londres.
Hour: 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT).
