Graham Potter exhales sigh of relief by making way to CL quarter

• Graham Potter exhales a sigh of relief by making their way to CL quarter.
• Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz each scored a goal just before halftime.
• Blues defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Chelsea Bridge to recover a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

Graham Potter, the manager of Chelsea, exhaled a sigh of relief when his team finally paid off a record-breaking one-season transfer expenditure on Tuesday by making it all the way to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz each scored a goal just before halftime as the Blues defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Chelsea Bridge to recover a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

After a terrible run of form in the Premier League and early exits from both domestic cup competitions, Potter’s position seemed to be in jeopardy if his team exited Europe.

Even though the former Brighton manager had only three victories in 16 games prior to Dortmund’s visit, Chelsea’s new ownership has continued to support him.

After spending more than £500 million ($600 million) on new players, co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were beaming as they made their way across the pitch at halftime. They had just witnessed the best performance of their era in charge.

When asked about the pressure he has been experiencing lately, Potter stated, “Things are never horrible forever, but it felt like that occasionally.

But Potter still has problems to deal with.

It is still unclear how Chelsea’s carelessness over the two legs contributed to the tie remaining in doubt until the very end.

Just before halftime, Sterling scored the essential opening goal, but he also missed many more excellent opportunities.

As Havertz’s penalty rebounded off the goal post, he was given a chance to save the game.

When given a second chance after a VAR review revealed Dortmund players had interfered with his initial attempt, the German international made the most of it.

But the Potter, who has advanced from coaching in English football’s ninth tier to the final eight on the continent’s biggest stage, finally felt some comfort.

Potter continued, “It was a special night. “Winning a game to go to the last eight of the Champions League is among my career’s greatest victories and games.”

Chelsea’s two previous Champions League-winning seasons, in 2012 and 2021, were the result of unanticipated runs following the midseason dismissal of a manager.

There is still time for lightning to strike a third time with more than a month until the quarterfinals if Potter can get his ensemble of expensively built stars to work together better.

Even if there is still work to be done in the front, Potter does seem to be laying a strong foundation in the rear.

Dortmund came into London riding a 10-game winning streak, but they were mostly held at bay save for a first-half free kick from Marco Reus that forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into a diving save.

Chelsea recorded their sixth clean sheet in nine games against the Bundesliga title contenders thanks in large part to the injury comebacks of Reece James, Ben Chilwell, and Wesley Fofana.

Edin Terzic, the coach of Dortmund, admitted that dismantling Chelsea wasn’t simple. “Not only did they spend money, but they also added some top-notch players. They always seem dangerous, and you can feel it.”

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