Karim Adeyemi’s brilliant breakaway goal for Borussia Dortmund means Chelsea have a 1-0 deficit to overcome following the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
Graham Potter’s side had the better chances amid a boisterous atmosphere in Germany but Thiago Silva had a goal disallowed for handball and Joao Felix hit the crossbar when well placed. Ademeyi’s solo run punished their earlier profligacy just after the hour mark.
It was cruel on Chelsea given their performance. Once behind they pushed hard for the equaliser and came close when Kalidou Koulibaly had his fierce shot cleared off the line by Emre Can. But they must now come from behind at Stamford Bridge to progress.
The defeat on the night means that Chelsea have now won only once in nine matches since the turn of the year and though Potter will have been encouraged by some of what he saw, this was further evidence that this is a team still finding ways not to seize victory.
The Chelsea boss told BT Sport: “The boys have been fantastic in terms of their work, but at the moment, we’re suffering in terms of results. But the performance was a big step forward for us tonight.
“It’s half-time. We need to regroup and take the game at Stamford Bridge.”
Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when they host the bottom club Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
There are further Premier League games against Tottenham and Leeds before Chelsea welcome Dortmund for the return leg of this tie on March 7 at the Stamford Bridge