Thread by @pythaginboots

Dortmund v Chelsea - Preview [Thread]

➡️ Do not Cuc-kold Mudryk, get Chilly in.
➡️ Moukoko loss is a huge blow as with no Badiashile, Silva could have been vulnerable
➡️ Does Potter go with a back 5?
➡️ Who should partner Enzo?

CC: @Effmatch @KlipDraw

#BVB #ChelseaFC #UCL

Not a huge fan of Cucurella... he looks pretty in the left midfield section but fails to make an impact in two key areas, zone 3 and 11... can't defend and lacks end product (for now).

Chilwell is sorely missed and as this is Chelsea's only shot of silverware, he has to start.

This takes pressure off Mudryk to run that flank - still looks like he needs some gym work to unlock the explosiveness he seems to have in his locker and also helps James from being the team's only natural width threat.

With Chelsea unable to register Badiashile, the time was ripe for Dortmund to unleash Moukoko - against a backline that will feature multiple veterans but as underrated Haller is, one would suspect a forward of his ilk should be meat and drink for a defender like Thiago Silva.

With Chilwell having no game time under his belt, he may not be able to bomb forward often but at the same time, in a back 4 - it is unlikely Mudryk would give much support and having a LCB behind him in a 3, could provide extra defensive cover especially in negative transition

Silva too would benefit with more bodies around him. Badiashile has been an instant hit and he does allow Chelsea to go with a back 4, but no other defender can provide his high line security. Kouli may have burnt his bridges so perhaps Azpi/Chalo will come in to form a 3.

Who partners Enzo is an issue that will not be truly resolved until the summer window but in order to negate the threat of a player like Bellingham... it may be worth moving Enzo to RCM, and put Gallagher in to the left. It is not ideal but he has greater mobility than RLC

and given a defined role, just track Bellingham - he may be able to pull it off. He has been looking less shell shocked in recent weeks and whilst ultimately he may not be a starter long term, can he prove himself as a viable squad option, occasional tactical weapon?

if Kovacic is match fit, you'd go for him just due to the paucity of other options but by this game may have come too soon. Perhaps he could make an impact off the bench.

As for Chelsea's attack, with no Madueke (whose made a strong start IMO) - it leaves Havertz as the only option down the right, unless they go back 4 and use Sterling as a RW. With Dortmund coming at Chelsea, there will be spaces to exploit and I think Felix in particular...

Could prove potent on the counter as Ozcan does like to drift forward and is a very aggressive ball winner, I can imagine Felix getting away at times and then running at heart of Dortmund defence.

Datro Fofana is also another tactical option who is not available to Chelsea but could provide an alternative in the league with Felix, Mudryk in behind. He could have been Chelsea's Moukokoesque dynamic CF presence but alas it is not to be.

Ideally Chelsea need a 3 pronged threat to be successful (one more world class pacey attacker down right side). So in truth both these sides hindered in attack but due to their front foot styles, you'd expect a basketball game with plenty of turnovers and fast paced transitions

Brandt is at the heart of much of Dortmund's play and at home you'd expect to see him stamp his authority but his direct opponent could be Reece James, and I suspect Guerreiro will be found wanting in that battle and will require support, furthermore I don't think Brandt will ...

Find James easy to get the better off. Predictions wise, I really do enjoy Dortmund's brand of football but I feel this Chelsea side even if they're not the final package have been showing signs of potentially catching fire...

If Chilwell starts and is fit, I am leaning towards an away victory or a draw - purely because I don't think this new look Chelsea side has had an opponent coming at them and featuring Felix/Mudryk/Enzo against that type of opponent.

If its a Potter disasterclass, with likes of Cucu, Kouli in back 4 and RLC, Enzo and Mount in midfield - I am probably favouring Dortmund. So much on this game comes down to the personnel choices IMO.