Dortmund ready to surprise spendthrift Chelsea

DÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Chelsea have one of the most expensive and talented rosters ever assembled. This may be the best time to beat them.

Borussia Dortmund are aiming to orchestrate an upset against spendthrift Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday. Chelsea’s three consecutive draws in the Premier League – including a 1-1 loss to West Ham on Saturday – could be an encouraging sign for the German side.

Before West Ham, Chelsea was an amalgam of individualities without a harmonious collective functioning.

With a starting line-up that includes five players who signed in January – João Félix, Enzo Fernández and Mykhailo Mudryk have sometimes shone – the lack of cohesion at Chelsea was all too evident against West Ham.

But over time, Chelsea will fit in better on the pitch. If they had been more coupled on Saturday, the two goals disallowed for offside would have been valid.

Playing against the deafening “Yellow Wall” of Dortmund is not easy and the German team believe they can surprise. Dortmund come into the game having won their six games so far in 2023. In contrast, Chelsea’s record in 2023 is just one win in eight games, and that was a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace .

In Sebastien Haller, Dortmund have a striker who scored 11 Champions League goals last season with Ajax. Haller will make his competitive debut for Dortmund after missing the first half of the campaign due to treatment for testicular cancer. He didn’t play a full game, but he fit in well with the team.

Dortmund have offered their best version this season against deeper rivals. They drew 0-0 with Manchester City the last time they hosted English opposition in October. For a team in Germany used to being in the shadow of Bayern Munich, what could be better than beating the club that spent the most?