Watch João Félix incredible ball on target for Chelsea against Dortmund first half draw
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!When Chelsea plays Borussia Dortmund this evening in the Champions League Round of 16, they will be looking to gain a first-leg advantage.
Three changes have been made to Graham Potter’s Chelsea team ahead of this evening’s opening leg against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16.
Potter decided to keep the majority of the players who started against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday for the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. However, because they are not registered for the knockout stage, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and David Datro Fofana are not included in the matchday squad.
Edouard Mendy is still sidelined after undergoing surgery to treat a fractured finger last month, so Kepa Arrizabalaga keeps playing in goal. Ben Chilwell makes his first start on the opposing flank since early November, while Reece James holds his spot at right back. He takes Marc Cucurella’s place.
The Brazilian, who has played the most for Chelsea this year, Thiago Silva, starts once more. Potter chose to add Kalidou Koulibaly rather than Badiashile because the latter was absent from the team due to illness for the draw with West Ham.
Once again starting in midfield with Ruben Loftus-Cheek is Enzo Fernandez. In lieu of Madueke, Hakim Ziyech has been inserted into the starting XI, continuing to play on the left wing alongside Mykhailo Mudryk. Joao Felix continues to serve as the sidekick creator in his unpaid capacity.
With no Aubameyang or Datro Fofana to select, Potter had to once again go with Kai Havertz as the leader of the attack. And there is notable no natural replacement for the German among the substitutes.
Chelsea: Kepa; James, Silva, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez; Ziyech, Felix, Mudryk; Havertz
Chelsea substitutes: Bettinelli, Bergstrom, Chalobah, Azpilicueta, Cucurella, Fofana, Hall, Chukwuemeka, Kovacic, Zakaria, Gallagher, Mount
