Kobel shines and Borussia Dortmund takes the lead in duel with Chelsea in the Champions League

Borussia Dortmund beat Chelsea 1-0 this Wednesday (15), at Signal Iduna Park, and took the lead in the fight for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Led by Jude Bellingham, captain at 19, the German team had a goal by Adeyemi and an excellent performance by goalkeeper Kobel to overcome the English team captained by Thiago Silva, 38.

The round of 16 second leg is scheduled for March 7 at Stamford Bridge. To advance, the London club needs to win by two goals apart. If you return the advantage of a goal on the scoreboard, take the decision to penalties. Any tie ranks the aurinegros.

Dortmund had a very offensive first half. Well organized in the midfield and led by the young captain Bellingham, he created several dangerous situations and scared goalkeeper Kepa on more than one occasion. Chelsea, in turn, finished less, but had an excellent chance with João Félix, who hit the crossbar after receiving a pass from Ziyech, in the 37th minute.

In the second half, the first minutes were marked by offensive movement on both sides, with more danger taken against the Borussia Dortmund goal. Kobel had to intervene with a superb save in the ninth minute to prevent a free-kick from Reece James in the ninth minute. Shortly after, at 16, the goalkeeper of the German team worked again in another attempt by James.

After the frustrated attempts of the English team, Borussia found the way to the goal soon in response to the opposing attacks. In the minute following Kobel’s new save, Adeyemi set off at speed after receiving a pass from Guerreiro, passed Enzo Fernández, one of Chelsea’s main signings in the last window, and overcame Kepa to put the home team ahead on the scoreboard.

From then on, Kobel had to work more times to secure the victory and he succeeded in the mission. One of the Swiss goalkeeper’s brightest moments was in stoppage time, when he jumped towards the corner to avoid an Enzo Fernández goal.

Former team of Fernández, Benfica also went to the field this Wednesday and took an important step towards the quarterfinals by beating Club Brugge by 2-0, at the Jan Breydel Stadion, home of the opponent. The goals were scored by João Mário, from the penalty spot, and by the Brazilian David Neres.