Before a packed Stamford Bridge crowd, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund prepare for a decisive second leg in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. After a tight first encounter where Dortmund claimed a 1-0 victory, the return fixture will determine which team advances to the quarter-finals in a match that has fans across Canada and the United States following closely.
The core question is simple: what result in the second leg will see Chelsea or Dortmund progress to the next round? The answer hinges on the current two-legged format used by UEFA, which awards advancement based on the total aggregate goals across both legs. If the score is level after 90 minutes of the second leg, the contest proceeds to extra time, and if still tied, penalties decide the winner. This change from earlier formats means away goals no longer serve as a tiebreaker, making every goal in the second leg crucial for both teams.
What result do Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund need in the second leg of the round of 16 of the 2023 Champions League to progress to the quarter-finals?
Chelsea face a precise challenge: they must overturn the single-goal deficit. To advance outright without additional play, Chelsea would need to win the second leg by two goals or more. A win by two goals would give them a superior aggregate score and send them directly through to the quarter-finals. If Chelsea wins by exactly one goal, the aggregate would be level, and the match would move into extra time, with penalties as a potential decider if scores remain tied after extra time.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund retains a favorable position from the first leg. A draw in the second leg would be enough for Dortmund to advance on aggregate if Chelsea fails to score more than once, since the team would maintain the lead from the opening encounter. If Dortmund maintains their lead by any margin, they would be on track to move forward, provided the second leg does not swing the aggregate in Chelsea’s favor. Should Dortmund concede, their chances would depend on the final margin and whether extra time is required, as the two-legged format leaves room for goals and drama until the whistle blows at the end of the 90 minutes or the overtime period.
In this context, sympathetic fans in North America can expect a tactical battle: Chelsea pushing to exploit spaces, Dortmund trying to protect their lead, while both sides balance defense with an eye on securing either a decisive victory or a tight win that reaches extra time or penalties. The outcome will hinge on midfield control, pressing intensity, and the ability to convert chances under pressure in the high-stakes environment of a continental knockout round. (Goal)