Chelsea boss Graham Potter has urged his side to focus on defeating Borussia Dortmund ahead of the resumption of their UEFA Champions League campaign.
The Blues travel to Germany on Wednesday evening looking to have better luck in Europe than they have in the Premier League. Their run of only one win in 2023 continued at the weekend with a 1-1 draw at London rivals West Ham.
Potter's men sit ninth, 10 points off the top four place with 16 games remaining and have struggled for results since the return of domestic football. Securing Champions League football through the league route seems a distant challenge so the reliance of a good run in the competition has extended emphasis this term.
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Many have criticised Potter for his incapability to put together positive results and fears of a trophyless season rely on a repeat of Thomas Tuchel's 2021 Champions League win to avoid that. But the Blues boss has urged his side to focus on overcoming Dortmund before eyeing some of Europe's best.
"In a knockout competition anything can happen. That's the thing," he said. "It's two games. I don't think it's valuable for us to look past Dortmund.
"We have the capability to beat Dortmund but they are also a strong side with the capability to get a result as well. We have to understand that, go to Dortmund with humility, with respect, and try to get the result.
"Obviously it's a tough match against a high-quality opponent. But at the same time, our team has got some good players."
Chelsea welcome Dortmund to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, March 7 for the second leg of the tie. They face Southampton, Tottenham and Leeds in-between the two ties.
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