With just two wins in 14 matches Chelsea's form has continued on a downward spiral with just one win coming in 2023 so far. Their away Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund offered the chance to forget some of the domestic woes.
Instead, the match was a stark reminder of what the Blues are still missing and also the frustration that is still lingering for fans. Despite a much improved performance from recent weeks the 1-0 loss at the hands of Edin Terzic's side still bites.
Chelsea have accumulated an xG of 11.06 in their last seven games but scored just three times. Against Dortmund they had more shots, shots on target and shots per half but still fell short when it mattered in the box. Joao Felix spurned two massive opportunities in the first half, hitting the bar with one before Kalidou Koulibaly couldn't convert his second half drive either.
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It left fans and players alike with their heads in their hands throughout. One of those nights it may have felt like but it's a consistent theme now in the past month.
The good news is that Chelsea have three matches to get it out of their system. Here, football.london looks at what is to come before welcoming Dortmund back to Stamford Bridge.
Southampton (H) - February 18
Managerless Southampton are up next for the Blues. If pressure is on Graham Potter right now then it could turn beyond repair should they fail to beat bottom of the league Saints.
Although Nathan Jones boasted more wins than Potter across all competitions since taking over the south coast side remain rooted to the bottom of the league. Southampton have already beaten Chelsea once this season though, shocking Thomas Tuchel's side at St Mary's.
As far as bounce-back games go, this is a favourable one but could also come with irreversible consequences.
Tottenham (A) - February 26
From a game that may be the perfect come down from a European disappointment to one that is the fans' pride and joy. Chelsea are yet to do anything but win in away games at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Like earlier in the season there is bad blood to clear having been seconds from winning at Stamford Bridge before Harry Kane's header secured a draw, coming after Marc Cucurella's hair was pulled at a corner.
Now, Spurs are stuttering in their bid to get a Champions League spot but will be keen to add to the dark clouds hanging over Potter.
Leeds (H) - March 4
In a continuation of the collection of bad early season repeats, Tuchel also fell foul to the now departed Jesse Marsch at Leeds. On a terrible day at Elland Road the Yorkshire side won 3-0, now they are in a relegation battle and currently without a manager.
It is once more a fixture that Chelsea will still head into as firm favourites despite their continued plight. Albeit with plenty to fight for, the run of matches coming into the Dortmund second leg is favourable to Chelsea.
Borussia Dortmund (H) - March 7
And then to the return leg. A special night under the lights at SW6 as Chelsea look to overturn their 1-0 defecit. Without away goals the tie is very much in the mix.
A similar performance to their away leg would give them a good chance at going through, too. There are three weeks to solve the goalscoring issues and give the fans optimism heading into the game.
Liverpool next four fixtures:
Newcastle United (A) - February 18
Real Madrid, Champions League (H) - February 21
Crystal Palace (A) - February 25
Wolves (H) - March 1
Newcastle next four fixtures:
Liverpool (H) - February 18
Man United (N), Carabao Cup final - February 26
Man City (A) - March 4
Wolves (H) - March 12
Manchester United next four fixtures:
Barcelona (A), Europa League - February 16
Leicester (H) - February 19
Barcelona, Europa League (H) - February 23
Newcastle, Carabao Cup final (N) - February 26
Tottenham next four fixtures:
West Ham (H) - February 19
Chelsea (H) - February 26
Sheffield United (A), FA Cup - March 1
Wolves (A) - March 4
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