The game between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund started ten minutes late. The guests’ team bus had problems accessing the stadium. The Blues, who had to catch up from a 0:1 deficit from the first leg, put a lot of pressure on from the start. The Terzic team had to do without Julian Brandt from the fifth minute, who had to be replaced injured. Havertz had the first big chance, but from Chelsea’s point of view he only hit the bar. After 38 minutes, the ball wriggled in the Dortmund net for the first time. Sterling initially failed due to the strong BVB goalkeeper Meyer, but Havertz’s follow-up shot ended up in the goal. But the goal was ruled out after Sterling was found offside.
Shortly before half-time, however, the time had come: Sterling prevailed against Reus, who acted too passively in the duel and scored the lead from eleven meters after a body deception. The second half began for Dortmund with another bang. After a handball by Marius Wolf, the Blues received a penalty. Havertz started. But the German only hit the bar like in the first half of the game. However, players from both teams ran into the penalty area too early, which is why the penalty kick was retaken. Havertz played again and this time scored. Chelsea didn’t give up the lead in the end. The Londoners are now in the quarter-finals with an overall score of 2-1.
Benfica Lisbon confidently qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The Portuguese went into the second leg with a 2-0 lead. The Portuguese had already laid the foundation for promotion in Belgium and finally made everything clear with a double strike shortly before the break. Rafa Silva made it 1-0 (38th) after a 70-meter sprint and a perfect counterattack after a pass from Goncalo Ramos. In injury time in the first half, the assist provider then shone as an executor himself after Joao Mario’s preparatory work. In the 57th minute, the Portuguese team striker put together his brace after assisting Grimaldo.
For the Belgians it was even more bitter. Joao Mario (71st) scored from the penalty spot and thus in the fifth Champions League game in a row. In addition, David Neres (77th) also entered the shooter list. At the end of the day, the guests at least managed to score a consolation goal, which was scored by Björn Meijer (87th). Schmidt can now try for the first time in his coaching career in April in the quarterfinals of the “premier class”. The draw will take place on March 17th.