Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea LIVE: Champions League team news and line-ups as Chilwell starts
Dortmund v Chelsea:
As managers such as Stefano Pioli and Marco Rose try to work out how to set up against English clubs for the Champions League’s returns, executives across the competition’s clubs are actually thinking in similar terms. Such is boardroom fear of Premier League power that there is now an increasing refrain in meetings: “Something must be done.”
It remains to be seen whether that something will be the Super League that was relaunched last week and is intended to supplant the Champions League itself. It is nevertheless a feeling that frames the knockout stages, especially amid the expectation that at least three English clubs will get through from the last 16 for the fourth time in five years.
Read Miguel Delaney’s preview of the Champions League round-of-16 below:
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Dortmund v Chelsea:
Graham Potter, speaking to BT Sport:
On the changes: “Koulibaly gives us balance on the left and Chilwell coming in for Marc [Cucurella] gives us a different type of profile in that position. We’ve been building him up in terms of his fitness and we think he is ready to start tonight.”
On Chelsea’s last game against West Ham: “I thought we attacked well, we had good control, scored a good goal and looked like more of the team we wanted to do. The challenge for us is when we conceded and lost control we weren’t quite as good. There were steps that were positive but tonight it is a completely different occasion and we have to be better but we’re excited about it.”
On dealing with the atmosphere tonight: “You have to understand that it is there otherwise it would be a bit of a shock. You have to play the moment and win them. Try to block the external stuff out as best you can and lean into your teammates and be present and stick to the moment. It’s a Champions League night – you wouldn’t expect anything different.”
Dortmund v Chelsea: Confirmed lineups
A few changes to both sides following their weekend’s fixtures. Terzic brings in Wolf at the back in the place of Ryerson. Elsewhere, Reus and Reyna move to the bench with Ozcan and Adeyemi coming into the midfield. 18-year-old Moukoko came off injured against Werder Bremen and so Haller comes in to lead the line.
For Chelsea, Potter makes three changes from his 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday. Chilwell comes in for Cucurella at left-back while Badiashile – who is not registered for Chelsea’s Champions League squad – is replaced by Koulibaly at the heart of defence. Ziyech, who nearly moved to PSG in a January deadline-day move, comes back into the starting lineup to replace Madueke.
Dortmund v Chelsea: substitutes
Dortmund: Coulibaly, Meyer, Rothe, Dahoud, Malen, Ryerson, Modeste, Hummels, Reyna, Reus, Meunier, Bynoe-Gittens.
Chelsea: Chukwuemeka, Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Hall, Cucurella, Chalobah, Mount, Zakaria, Gallagher, Azpilicueta, Fofana, Kovacic.
Dortmund v Chelsea: Confirmed lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro; Can; Adeyemi, Bellingham, Ozcan, Brandt; Haller.
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga; James, Koulibaly, Silva, Chilwell; Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez; Ziyech, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz
Dortmund v Chelsea
Dortmund boss Edin Terzic talked about his personal relationship with Potter in the pre-match build-up having studied for their Pro Licence on the same FA Course in 2018.
He said: “If you listen to the story of how he went to Sweden and how he changed not only the culture inside the club but inside the whole city before he went back to the UK, then it is something very impressive.
“I really like him as a person and as a coach.
“It’s a crazy story if you see that five years ago we were on a course, and now we are facing each other in the Champions League.
“It’s an unbelievable story. We are always texting each other on the new roles, on important wins, and we are really looking forward to seeing each other.”
Dortmund v Chelsea
Speaking ahead of the game, Chelsea boss was excited about the prospect of managing his first Champions League knockout tie.
He said: “It’s the knockout stage of the Champions League, the pinnacle of the game. We’re playing against a fantastic club and team in front of 80,000 supporters here.
“It will be a wonderful occasion and I think we’re all looking forward to the match. We understand the challenge that awaits us but we’re really excited for it.”
Dortmund v Chelsea
Speaking ahead of the game, Chelsea boss Graham Potter was excited about the prospect of managing his first Champions League knockout tie.
He said: “It is the knockout stage of the Champions League, the pinnacle of the game. We’re playing against a fantastic club and team in front of 80,000 supporters here.
“It will be a wonderful occasion and I think we’re all looking forward to the match. We understand the challenge that awaits us but we’re really excited for it.”
Graham Potter takes Chelsea to Borussia Dortmund this week (Adam Davy/PA)
Dortmund v Chelsea: Early team news
Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko suffered a torn syndesmosis ligament against Bremen and is expected to be out for six weeks. Thomas Meunier is also absent as he continues his recovery from a torn muscle fibre but Julian Ryerson should be fit to feature following illness.
Chelsea will be without Armando Broja, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Christian Pulisic. Denis Zakaria and Wesley Fofana have stepped up their rehabilitations from injury but are likely to miss out as well due to lack of match fitness.
Predicted line-ups
Borussia Dortmund XI: Kobel, Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro, Can, Reyna, Bellingham, Reus, Brandt, Haller
Chelsea XI: Kepa, James, T. Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella, E. Fernandez, Gallagher, Mount, Felix, Mudryk, Havertz
Dortmund v Chelsea
The Champions League round-of-16 tie will kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 15 February.
How can I watch it?
Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea will be shown live on BT Sport 1 with coverage starting from 7pm. It can also be streamed live from the BT Sport app which is available to download onto your mobile or tablet device.
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