Despite Chelsea's best efforts, they were unable to score in the first leg due to a combination of Gregor Kobel's saves, the woodwork, and an incredible clearance by Emre Can off the line. While Chelsea's manager Graham Potter left Germany with cautious optimism, subsequent defeats to Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur have increased calls for his sacking.
Chelsea's short-term future reportedly hinges on their clashes with Dortmund and Leeds. They can turn their last-16 tie around and win back the favor of the powers-that-be by defeating Dortmund, but they have experienced four successive Champions League last-16 exits between 2014-15 and 2019-20. However, they have advanced from four of their last seven Champions League knockout ties after losing the first leg away from home.
In contrast, Dortmund enters the spring months with domestic and European titles well within reach, thanks to their outstanding form since the start of the year. They have remarkably won all 10 of their last competitive games across the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League, including a 2-1 win over Leipzig on Friday. This incredible run of form puts them within reach of their first Champions League quarter-final since 2016-17.
Dortmund's form includes five successive away victories in domestic action, during which they have scored nine goals and conceded just two. However, they have not kept a clean sheet in a Champions League away game since November 2020. In addition, they have lost their last five European matches in London since beating Arsenal 2-1 in 2013, but the last time they won both legs of a Champions League knockout tie in 1996-97, Dortmund ended up lifting the trophy aloft.
INJURY WORRIES
The medical staff at Stamford Bridge are working tirelessly to treat a number of injured players, including Armando Broja, Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Thiago Silva. However, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante, and Reece James may be able to secure a spot in the team.Mason Mount, who was absent due to an abdominal issue during the victory over Leeds, will serve a one-game European ban for accumulating yellow cards, and thus will not be eligible to play in the second leg. Coach Potter may choose to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that led to success in the previous match, but in that case, Trevoh Chalobah would have to replace the ineligible Benoit Badiashile.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek may be benched in favor of James, who is expected to recover from his hamstring tightness, and Kai Havertz may retain his place despite his recent lack of form. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was Havertz's substitute in the knockout stages, did not make the squad.
Dortmund's coach Edin Terzic also has a suspended player, right-back Julian Ryerson, and will likely replace him with Marius Wolf. Since the first leg, Adeyemi has suffered a thigh injury and will not be able to play on Tuesday. Youssoufa Moukoko, Mateu Morey, Abdoulaye Kamara, Donyell Malen, and Julien Duranville are all also out of contention. There is uncertainty regarding the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Kobel, who had to withdraw from the Leipzig match due to a thigh issue.
While a return for Kobel has not been ruled out, Alexander Meyer may serve as a substitute goalkeeper, and Sebastien Haller, a testicular cancer survivor, will lead the attack for Terzic's team.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea's possible starting lineup:Kepa; Chalobah, Koulibaly, Fofana; James, Kovacic, Fernandez, Chilwell; Sterling, Havertz, Felix
Borussia Dortmund's possible starting lineup:
Meyer; Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro ; Ozcan, Can, Bellingham; Brandt, Haller, Reus
EXPERT PREDICTION
Chelsea 1-1 Borussia Dortmund (Dortmund to progress 2-1 on aggregate)Chelsea's attackers are struggling with confidence, as evidenced by their inability to score despite having eight shots on target at the Westfalenstadion. Even winning against Leeds through a defender's header may not be enough to boost their morale.
Therefore, Borussia Dortmund, who are in good form, may be tempted to play defensively and frustrate Chelsea for the entire 90 minutes. This could secure their spot in the last eight and leave the Stamford Bridge crowd with a familiar sense of dread.
