Chelsea must beat Dortmund to restore some pride

Champions League preview: Chelsea battle Borussia Dortmund - analysis of Chelsea's recent struggles and how they should approach the game.

Chelsea must advance in the champions league to restore some pride and confidence in the team but can they stop Borussia Dortmund? (Photo credit: 90Mins)

Chelsea and Graham Potter would hope for a big night at Stamford Bridge when Borussia Dortmund comes into town for the second leg of their Champions League encounter.

The Blues lost the first leg in Germany 1-0 and would realise it’s not a mountain if they come to party against one of the top teams in Europe based on their current form.

But on the evidence of how Chelsea has struggled of late, it’s going to take a lot for them to advance to the last eight.

In the Premier League, Chelsea scored a goal for the first time in many fixtures, and they also recorded their first league win since the turn of the year in their 1-0 win over Leeds United.

But the performance in isolation doesn’t offer much confidence.

The absence of Thiago Silva in defence is a big miss, but Wesley Fofana came up with the goods defensively and at the other end, with the winner against Leeds.

Benoit Badiashile wasn’t registered for Champions League football, so Chelsea would have to hope no centre back gets injured again.

How should Chelsea approach the black and yellow visitors?

Calm is important, as is discipline; the Blues must stay in the game for as long as they can, and more importantly, they must pay attention to the pace and trickery that the visitors offer.

Sitting tenth on the log in the Premier League, making the top four is increasingly unlikely, and except some other teams like Tottenham, Liverpool, and Newcastle throw things away badly, winning the Champions League is the only realistic way the Blues can return to the competition next season.

What about the whereabouts of Graham Potter?

Will he still be at the helm if they get bundled out by Dortmund? 

It’s a question that begs for answers, and as much as the club hierarchy has sounded out warnings that the former Brighton man has their support, he too knows that things change quickly in football.

Chelsea should be favourites playing at home, but they can’t afford to be complacent.

Goalscoring has been a big issue; you don’t win football games if you don’t score goals.

Chelsea must show up big or go home against Dortmund.