Champions League

Dortmund, with 10 wins in a row, goes for the promotion at Chelsea. But maybe without a key goalkeeper

No one in the football world has had a better start to 2023. Borussia Dortmund have won all 10 of their competitive matches, including the eighth-final duel with Chelsea. But now they must confirm their performance in a rematch at Stamford Bridge, and perhaps without a key goalkeeper.

Published

2 years ago

7. 3. 2023

David Beňo

Nobody in the football world has had a better start to 2023. Borussia Dortmund have won all 10 of their competitive matches, including the eighth-final duel with Chelsea. But now they must confirm their performance in a rematch at Stamford Bridge, and perhaps without a key goalkeeper.

In Germany, the season started later than in the other top leagues, so the first round of the Bundesliga was not scheduled until January 22. And Dortmund got off on the right foot, winning 4-3 in a wild shootout with Augsburg.

Subsequently, Borussia also beat Mainz, Leverkusen and Freiburg, and took on Bochum in the DFB Pokal and Bremen in the league. This was followed by a Champions League win over Chelsea, which Edin Terzic followed up with three Bundesliga wins over Hertha, Hoffenheim and Leipzig.

10 wins in a row and a score of 25:9. You won’t find a better team in the world at the moment. But Borussia have to prove it at Stamford Bridge, dropping out of the eight-finals after the first game and at this stage would be disappointing.

Moreover, the yellow and black will not be able to rely on Karim Adeyemi, the scorer of the only goal against Chelsea, for their fast breaks. The young speedster has picked up a hamstring injury and will not be available.

There is also a big question mark over key goalkeeper Gregor Kebel. The 25-year-old Swiss was impressive in the first leg, making some great saves and keeping a clean sheet, especially in the second half.

However, due to a hip injury, he missed the weekend against Leipzig and was originally not supposed to travel to England, but ended up traveling with the team.

“Gregor [Köbel] has been treated in Dortmund for the last two days. He was feeling better every day. We will work with him and after Tuesday’s training we will decide if he can play,” said Dortmund coach Terzic at a press conference.

So there is a definite chance that he could start. If he is not healthy, Alexander Meyer will step in, just like he did against Leipzig at the weekend.

Source: UEFA