Graham Potter reacts to Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has offered his thoughts on his side’s performance in their 1-0 Champions League first-leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund this evening.

An end-to-end encounter between both sides ultimately saw the Blues undone by a brilliant second-half solo goal from Karim Adeyemi following a swift counter-attack by the Germans. 

The Blues lacked that slice of luck in their pursuit of an equaliser after seeing Joao Felix hit the crossbar and Kalidou Koulibaly’s fierce strike cleared off the line by Emre Can. 

While Potter was disappointed with the final result, the Chelsea boss was pleased with his side’s performance, especially in the second half. 

“Overall, we were pleased with the performance for big parts of the game,” Potter told reporters (via Chelseafc.com) after the game.

“It is complicated away from home in the Champions League, in a hostile environment against a team that’s in a good moment. 

“It was an even first half, we managed the game quite well with good opportunities to counter-attack, and we hit the bar.

“Then in the second half apart from the one decisive action where we didn’t do well enough, we were the dominant, the better team and created some good chances.”

Potter then bemoaned his side’s luckless second half but insists his side will bounce back in the second leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks. 

“We needed a little bit of luck maybe, and a little bit of final execution,” Potter added. “We deserved a goal but have to keep going. It’s half-time. It’s a tight tie. We look forward to Stamford Bridge.”

The Blues may have put up an impressive second-half display, but the result going against them means they have just one win in their last nine games in all competitions.

Potter’s future is not thought to be in any imminent danger, but the Blues need results to go their way sooner than later after posting just two wins in their last 14 games. 

Chelsea will face Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United before welcoming the Bundesliga giants to the Bridge next month.