Chelsea make history after 2-1 aggregate win against Dortmund
Chelsea make history by progressing from a FIFTH Champions League knockout tie after losing the first leg… joining Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid as the only other clubs to achieve the feat following their 2-1 aggregate win against Dortmund
- Chelsea progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night
- The Blues scored twice to beat Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate at Stamford Bridge
- The west London club have established a reputation as comeback specialists
Chelsea claimed an impressive European record after coming from behind to win 2-1 on aggregate against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Blues are now one of only four teams to progress from five Champions League knockout ties after losing the first leg, joining the illustrious company of European giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus.
Graham Potter’s side, who needed to overturn a 1-0 deficit at Stamford Bridge after losing away at Dortmund in the first leg last month, advanced to the quarter-finals thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz.
The comeback specialists are now the first English side to achieve the feat, adding to their rich history of success in the competition.
Havertz, whose crucial penalty in the second half against Dortmund proved the winner at Stamford Bridge, netted the all-important goal in the 2021 final, which brought Chelsea their second Champions League trophy under former manager Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea claimed an impressive record after beating Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate on Tuesday
The club have now progressed in five Champions League knockout ties after losing the first leg
The Blues lifted their first Champions League title in 2012 following a turbulent league campaign, as interim boss Roberto Di Matteo marshalled the club to glory after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
Chelsea’s first second-leg Champions League comeback came against Barcelona in 2005, as Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard, Damien Duff and John Terry scored at Stamford Bridge to help overturn a 2-1 defeat in the first leg to win 5-4 on aggregate.
The quarter-finals of the 2008 competition saw Chelsea’s next knockout stage comeback, with goals from Michael Ballack and Lampard guiding the Blues to a 2-0 second-leg victory against Fenerbahce, who won 2-1 at home in the first leg.
Chelsea also came from 3-1 behind to win 5-4 on aggregate against Napoli on the road to winning the tournament in 2012, with Branislav Ivanovic netting in extra-time at Stamford Bridge.
Finally, the Blues went through on away goals after winning 2-0 at Stamford Bridge during their second leg against Barcelona in 2014, levelling the scoreboard following the Spanish giants’ 3-1 victory at the Nou Camp.
Potter’s side will be desperate to continue their form in this year’s competition, as lifting the Champions League trophy poses the most feasible pathway back into the tournament for Chelsea next season, following their miserable campaign in the Premier League.
The Blues sit 10th in the English top flight, winning nine, drawing seven and losing nine matches so far.
Left-back Ben Chilwell impressed in particular against the German giants on Tuesday evening
Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (left – right) celebrate beating Napoli in the 2012 tournament
Potter, who was under serious pressure before back-to-back wins against Leeds and Dortmund, will hope to kick on after Tuesday’s promising display at Stamford Bridge.
The manager changed shape and deployed a back five in the successive victories, profiting from the impressive displays of Ben Chilwell and Reece James at wing-back, who have offered a major boost since their returns from injury.
Chilwell shone in particular against the German giants on Tuesday, carving out the highest score in Sportsmail’s player ratings.
Potter’s next test will be against relegation-threatened Leicester on Saturday.
Source: Read Full Article