Twenty just one pictures, 8 on goal, no goals and yet another defeat.
The Blues experienced enough probabilities to win the 1st leg of their Champions League previous-16 tie – and get it comfortably – but poor ending, good saves and the woodwork conspired from them.
There has, understandably, been a great deal of scrutiny focused on Graham Potter considering the fact that he became Chelsea boss in September, but even his biggest critics should sympathise with him following this loss.
Towards a Dortmund facet who experienced received just about every game they had performed so far in 2023, the website visitors had been the far better aspect for large periods, but as likelihood arrived and went prior to Karim Adeyemi broke to score a fantastic solo goal for the hosts, it ought to have felt like luck experienced as soon as all over again deserted Potter and Chelsea.
“General we have been delighted with the effectiveness for massive parts of the game,” said Potter.
“It was an even initial 50 %, we managed the game rather well and experienced some superior possibilities. In the second 50 percent, aside from the decisive action where by we failed to do well plenty of, I believed we were the dominant, superior team.
“We need a little bit of luck possibly in the remaining execution and I consider we deserved a goal. We have to retain likely. It is fifty percent-time and we glimpse ahead to Stamford Bridge.”
‘Chelsea problems haunt them again’
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, observing the game for BBC Radio 5 Stay, agreed with Potter’s evaluation and felt they did not get the consequence their general performance warranted.
“I am questioning how Chelsea have missing,” he stated.
“I assume they played actually well at situations, they produced truly good alternatives but the factor that has troubled them in their previous 4 or five games has haunted them once more.”
As talked about, Chelsea had 21 shots on goal at Dortmund with 8 of those on target. The Blues’ envisioned goals, which steps how very good your probabilities ended up, was 2.14 – the fourth-optimum score of any team in this season’s Champions League without having scoring.
The lack of goals is an problem that has troubled Chelsea during Potter’s time at the club so far. In his 24 matches, they have scored just 25 goals. They have not managed additional than 1 goal in match since 2 November.
Their struggles in the remaining 3rd make it all the far more bewildering that inspite of expending close to £288m in January – a lot more than the merged whole of all clubs in the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 – they did not commit in a confirmed out-and-out striker, whilst also leaving previous Arsenal and Barcelona forward Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang out of their Champions League squad.
Joao Felix, one of the January arrivals, set in a superb functionality, individual in the first 50 percent, but he was responsible of some of Chelsea’s largest missed possibilities, taking pictures over from a good situation in the very first 50 % and then hitting the crossbar when it seemed less complicated to score.
Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea for a British record £107m price previous month, also noticed a fantastic late strike stored out by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
“The gamers have been doing the job genuinely very well,” Potter reported.
“They know the problem we are in and the difficulties we have but it is remarkable. Their frame of mind has been seriously, really great. The spirit is there in the team we just need a tiny bit of luck.”
‘A team in progress’ but wins need to occur quickly
There had been tons of positives to take from Chelsea’s in general exhibit but while Dortmund cannot cease winning in 2023, the Blues have managed just a single earn in nine online games so considerably this calendar year.
Potter believes the admirers can see and value the excellent things his aspect have been undertaking, but he is aware these wins need to start off coming quickly.
“The general performance [against Dortmund] was another action ahead for us,” he added.
“With any luck , we make improvements to and I believe we will and in three months time we can get the game at Stamford Bridge.”
