Karim Adeyemi’s beautiful solo effort handed Borussia Dortmund a vital 1-0 house victory over Chelsea within the first leg of their Champions League final 16 clashes, whereas Benfica cruised to a cushty 2-0 away win at Club Brugge.
Wednesday’s contest in Germany, the primary aggressive assembly between the perimeters, was edged by Chelsea on probabilities however solely Adeyemi’s speedy box-to-box run and end on 63 minutes might separate them.
Dortmund have now received all seven matches throughout competitions in 2023.
Germany ahead, 21, had flattered to deceive since signing from Salzburg in pre-season however has burst to life lately with two objectives within the Bundesliga and what may very well be a vital strike in Europe.
“It was a tough start, but we kept fighting,” Adeyemi informed DAZN. “I tried to win the one-on-one (with Enzo Fernandez) and the keeper came out, I had bit of luck and there we go. With our fans it was unbelievable. The win is very important for the second leg.”
Benfica are within the field seat after Joao Mario’s penalty and David Neres’ late aim in Bruges, with the Portuguese losing extra probabilities.
The second legs are on March 7.
Bayern Munich received 1-0 at Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan beat Tottenham Hotspur by the identical rating at house in Tuesday’s first legs. The remainder of the last-16 first legs are subsequent week, together with holders Real Madrid at Liverpool in a repeat of final season’s ultimate.
Dortmund’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 19, was made captain for the second Champions League recreation this time period, with Marco Reus on the bench as Edin Terzic most well-liked the extra defensive Salih Özcan.
For Chelsea, left-back Ben Chilwell was again for the primary time since pulling his hamstring in November.
Chelsea thought that they had scored early on however Thiago Silva had palmed the ball into the web from a free-kick. He was proven a yellow card regardless of his protests that it was unintended.
Sebastien Haller, making his first Champions League look for Dortmund after most cancers remedy, then went shut.
Joao Felix quickly missed two probabilities, together with one which hit the bar, for a Chelsea aspect who’ve struggled within the Premier League of late.
The English aspect continued to be within the ascendancy early within the second half, Reece James twice testing Gregor Kobel.
Then out of nowhere, Adeyemi ran from his personal field to Chelsea’s in a surprising solo counter-attack earlier than rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga to attain from an acute angle.
Twice champions Chelsea pushed for an equalizer, having an effort cleared off the road, however 1997 winners Dortmund had been harmful on the break in a frantic final quarter, together with a giant touchline bust-up.
“I think our performance was good. We are a team coming together,” Chelsea boss Graham Potter stated. “It is half-time and we go to Stamford Bridge. We have to keep working.”
In Belgium, Englishman Scott Parker took cost of this season’s shock packages Brugge in his first European recreation as a coach.
Benfica, bossed by German Roger Schmidt, had the higher of the possibilities although as Rafa Silva hit the woodwork and Portugal World Cup star Goncalo Ramos was additionally a menace.
The hosts did have the ball within the internet earlier than the break however the video assistant confirmed Denis Odoi was offside.
The guests broke the impasse on 51 by means of Joao Mario’s penalty, Simon Mignolet getting his hand to it however there was an excessive amount of energy.
Jack Hendry conceded the spot kick after fouling Ramos.
Substitute Neres prolonged the lead on 88 minutes because the twice champions put one foot within the quarter-finals.
Benfica midfielder Chiquinho informed Eleven Sports: “We didn’t start very well, but after 15 minutes we took over. We had several opportunities and in the end, we are fair winners.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
