Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea

Signal Iduna Park forms the backdrop for the first leg of a blockbuster Champions League last-16 tie between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.

Despite racking up a mere two wins from six autumn fixtures in the Champions League (D3, L1), Borussia Dortmund claimed a runner-up finish in Group G, making it to the competition’s knockouts for the second time in three years. Edin Terzic’s men went winless in both group meetings with Manchester City (D1, L1), extending their underwhelming European run against English opponents to ten matches without winning (D2, L8). By contrast, the Germans have flown out of the traps since the club football resumption after the World Cup break, winning all six domestic fixtures, including five in the Bundesliga to reduce the gap on table-topping Bayern Munich to only three points. Dortmund’s high-flying form in 2023 puts them in a pole position to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2020/21.

In the meantime, visiting Chelsea could only manage a 1-1 draw at fellow London rivals West Ham United last weekend, making it three consecutive Premier League stalemates. Stuck ten points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, the ‘Blues’ must be aware that their best chance of competing in the Champions League next term is to win the title this season. However, having picked up just one win in eight competitive outings in 2023 (D4, L3), Graham Potter’s lads will doubt their chances in this tie. Adding to this sentiment, the visitors have registered just three triumphs on their last 11 visits to German sides in European football (D3, L5). On a more positive note, they boast an almost perfect five-game Champions League record under Potter (W4, D1).