By Henry Vinter | 7 December 2055
It says everything about this Chelsea team that a 2-1 away win in the Champions League, where they registered 31 shots to the opposition’s 5, feels like a “narrow escape”.
For 19 minutes at the BVB Stadion, the unthinkable was happening. Chelsea were losing. But panic is not in the vocabulary of Calin Dimario’s side, and certainly not in the vocabulary of Alberto Robles.
Led by another midfield masterclass from the Mexican, Chelsea came from behind to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-1, securing their 16th consecutive victory in all competitions and maintaining their 100% record in the Champions League.
The Wake-Up Call
Dortmund, fighting for their European lives, started with a fury that briefly rattled the English champions. In the 11th minute, Andreas Altenhöfer drilled a low drive in off the post, sending the Yellow Wall into raptures. It was the first time Chelsea had trailed in what felt like a lifetime.
But the response was immediate and ruthless.
Robles and Júnior: Crisis Averted
Just eight minutes later, Chelsea were level. Alberto Robles, continuing his run of imperious form, floated a perfect ball into the box for Júnior. The Brazilian winger, whose happiness at the club has been the subject of tabloid whispers all month, attacked the ball with a point to prove. His header from inside the six-yard box was emphatic.
It was a vital goal for the player and the team. Robles picked up the assist and proceeded to run the game, earning an 8.6 match rating and his second consecutive Player of the Match award. He is currently the most in-form midfielder on the continent.
Crichton’s Cool Head
Despite dominating possession (56%) and peppering the Dortmund goal with 31 attempts, Chelsea struggled to find the winner from open play. It took a moment of madness from Dortmund—and a VAR review—to seal it.
In the 79th minute, substitute Scott Crichton stepped up to the penalty spot. With the hostile home crowd whistling, the veteran winger coolly slotted the ball into the top corner.
Dortmund’s night imploded late on with Vuk Jovanović seeing red for a bad tackle, but the damage was already done.
The Perfect Record
The win means Chelsea have won 6 out of 6 in the Champions League League Phase, sitting comfortably top of the giant table with a +17 goal difference.
But there will be no time to celebrate. The squad flies back to London tonight knowing that the biggest game of the season is waiting for them on Saturday.