Another defeat to Dortmund, the future of coach Graham Potter will not be guaranteed. Fortunately, he and his students overcame the challenge and continued to build trust.
Chelsea entered the match against Dortmund with great pressure, in addition to a 0-1 defeat in the first leg. For that reason, the victory brought indescribable joy - an emotion that has rarely appeared for Chelsea this season.
2 goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz helped Chelsea turn the situation around, defeating Dortmund with a total score of 2-1 in the round of 16 of the Champions League. This is the second consecutive victory of The Blues, after defeating Leeds in the Premier League.
Perhaps, if Dortmund had been more accurate in the first leg, Chelsea's chances would have ended. But fate has not turned its back on Potter, and an excellent 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge saved Chelsea.
Chelsea are in mid-table of the Premier League, but at least for now, they can be proud to be one of the eight best teams in the 2022-23 Champions League.
Finally, the record amount Chelsea invested in the last 2 transfer windows was also effective.
For the first time in 2023, The Blues scored 2 goals in a match. Not sublime, not beautiful, but the important thing is still victory.
Chelsea's board are reasonable when being patient with Potter. When at the end of the tunnel, the light suddenly appeared on The Blues...
Sterling was the first big signing in Todd Boehly's Chelsea era. Although the focus of The Blues is shifting to young talents, the role of the English player is undeniable.
When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was left out of the Champions League knockout squad, Sterling became Chelsea's top scorer.
Potter was right to reserve the expensive new signing Mykhaylo Mudryk and choose Sterling.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz responded to Potter's trust when he was given the responsibility of playing 11m. Despite the need for two shots and the controversy surrounding VAR's decision, Havertz was successful.
The moment Poter bowed his head and did not dare to look at Havertz's shot showed the importance of this goal.
Havertz's 7th goal of this year's season came at the most appropriate time. After nearly 3 years with Chelsea, the German player has not yet found his true position. But on the positive side, Havertz is still talented and valuable.
A few Potter supporters believe the former Brighton coach is lacking luck at Chelsea. And maybe they were right, when luck came, Chelsea won.
Dortmund lost a series of key players after the first leg such as Karim Adeyemi and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Julian Brandt also had to leave the pitch due to injury after five minutes of play.
Chelsea under Potter have problems in attack, specifically in assists and goalscoring. In the match against Dortmund, both problems were solved. Of course, including the return match, Chelsea have only scored 7 goals in all competitions in 2023.
"You need a little luck.Before the World Cup, we had 9 players out injured.If you lose so many soldiers, there is nothing you can do.
Today, Dortmund also did not have the services of some players, making things more favorable for us.But I never complain about anything," Potter shared.
When luck smiles, can Potter continue to do miracles?
