Chelsea vs Dortmund press conference: Potter on availability of James, Pulisic and Kante
06 MAR 2023
Graham Potter had mixed news regarding the availability of Reece James, Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante for Chelsea’s Champions League decider against Borussia Dortmund.
The head coach addressed the media at Stamford Bridge on the eve of our last-16 second-leg meeting with the German side and provided an update on three of his players who trained this morning having missed the win over Leeds at the weekend.
James was absent with a tight hamstring, Pulisic hasn’t featured since January because of a knee problem, while you have to go back to August for the last time Kante played for us.
‘Reece we’ll make a decision on tomorrow,’ confirmed Potter. ‘Christian is in the squad. He’s training well and looking good.
‘It’s too soon for N’Golo,’ added Potter. ‘He’s had two full training sessions, so too soon, but he’s looking good. We’re going to continue with that progress.
‘It’s a complex one with him. He’s had a long time out. There’s back in full training but then it’s how you get him back up to speed to play Champions League and Premier League football.
‘That’s where he needs a bit of time with the group in full training, and then we need to build his minutes up. He won’t be able to go straight in for 90 minutes any time soon, but the fact he’s training and getting closer is exciting for everybody.’
Potter is looking forward to what he expects to be a special night at Stamford Bridge, with the prize on offer a place in the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition.
With away goals no longer in place in the Champions League, any one-goal margin of victory for the Blues would mean extra-time and, if no more goals were scored, penalties.
Potter was asked if the players have been training for that possibility, and, following the departure of Jorginho in January, who our first-choice spot-kick taker is now.
‘The boys are always practising penalties,’ explained Potter. ‘We are prepared for that eventuality. We want to get it done before that but if not then okay, we can go through that way.
‘Kai is our designated penalty taker now,’ the head coach revealed.
== Chelsea vs Dortmund injury list ==
Armando Broja remains unavailable to Potter as he continues to work on his rehabilitation following injury. Thiago Silva is another longer-term absentee. Mason Mount missed the Leeds game through injury but is suspended anyhow.
Dortmund will be missing Youssoufa Moukoko, while first-leg goalscorer Karim Adeyemi and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel are both doubts.
== Chelsea vs Dortmund suspension ==
Mason Mount and Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson are suspended for reaching three yellow cards in the competition.
Conor Gallagher, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mykhailo Mudryk and Thiago Silva are one yellow card away from a one-match Champions League suspension.
In the Champions League, three yellow cards, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc) will result in a one-match-suspension in the competition. All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
== Booking list ==
E. Fernandez 3 (already served a suspension with Benfica), Mount 3, C. Gallagher 2,
R. James 2, Koulibaly 2, Mudryk 2, Thiago Silva 2, Arrizabalaga 1, Kovacic 1, R. Sterling 1, Ziyech 1.
== == Chelsea vs Dortmund referee and VAR
Referee: Danny Makkelie from the Netherlands
VAR: Pol Van Boekel from the Netherlands
Danny Makkelie officiated our 3-0 home win against AC Milan earlier this season.
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Potter on what part the Stamford Bridge crowd can play and why Chelsea can turn tie around
07 MAR 2023
Graham Potter anticipates a cracking atmosphere at Stamford Bridge tonight and he hopes that can play a part in another famous European evening under the lights in SW6.
The Blues need to overturn a one-goal deficit against Borussia Dortmund to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals. We have managed that exact turnaround in European competition four times in our history, having brought a team back to the Bridge 1-0 down and still progressed.
To do so again will require a collective effort, and Potter wants the Chelsea support to play their part in making life difficult for an in-form Dortmund side.
‘Stamford Bridge is going to be rocking,’ the head coach said. ‘It was a special occasion in Dortmund, and I’m sure it will be the same at Stamford Bridge. It’s an exciting game, a chance to go through to the last eight of the Champions League, so a special night at Stamford Bridge.
‘In the Champions League away from home it’s tough. We want to make sure it’s tough for Dortmund and we need our supporters for that.
‘Fans are always entitled to air their views, and we know they have been suffering like the rest of us have in terms of the results we’ve had,’ added Potter.
‘But the reception we had and the support we had at the weekend was fantastic. They were behind the team. They know the importance of the game tomorrow night, and they know how important they are.’
The first leg in Germany three weeks ago was an evenly-fought contest which the hosts edged, but with better finishing it might well have been Chelsea heading into tonight’s game with the advantage.
From what Potter saw in the first leg and in recent days at Cobham, he is confident we have it in us to reverse the situation and keep our European dreams alive.
‘It’s a good challenge for us, but we’re excited for it and we’re looking forward to it. We’re meeting a top opponent. You can see their results in the Bundesliga. They’re in a fantastic vein of form, winning games constantly, 10 in a row. They’re doing a lot well, but what an opportunity for us.
‘The boys are in a good place, they’re confident, they’re motivated, they’re together. There has been a support for each other, a good spirit. The smiles come back when you win a game and we’re all looking forward to tonight.
‘It’s half-time, we’re 1-0 down, we need to respond, and this group of players can do that.’
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以下內容出自 football.london：
Every word Graham Potter said on Chelsea future, James, Kante, Pulisic, Felix, Havertz decision
By Adam Newson, Chief Chelsea correspondent - UPDATED 16:13, 6 MAR 2023
．How much has the win over Leeds boosted morale in the group?
“It’s always nice to win, that’s for sure. Everyone is happier when we do. But we also know we have a big challenge ahead. So as much as we’re pleased with the win at the weekend, we now want to follow it up with another win on Tuesday night. That is where the focus is.”
．What would be the symbolic meaning of a win tomorrow night?
“The position we’re in, you should always welcome pressure because it means you’re in a fantastic situation which is to compete for the last eight of the Champions League. It’s a wonderful competition and it’ll be a special night. It was a special occasion in Dortmund and I’m sure it will be the same at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. We’re looking forward to the game and competing to go through because it’s a fantastic competition and we want to progress.”
．After the setbacks and noise around you in the last few weeks, has it dawned on you that winning this game can change the story?
“To be honest, I’m not thinking about it in that way. I’m thinking about how important it is for the team and club. It’s a chance to get into the last eight of the Champions League but we’re playing against a top opponent in a really good vein of form. So it’s a huge challenge but at the same time, what an opportunity. Stamford Bridge will be rocking I’m sure and we will give it everything to win the game and go through.”
．What have you made of Joao Felix thus far and what do you see as his best position?
“We’re really happy with him – providing he isn’t tackling anyone on the halfway line! His quality is clear. He can receive the ball in tight spaces and makes things happen from an attacking perspective. He’s hit the bar twice, scored, and had some other chances. So he has that quality. The fact he can play in a few positions is good. We’ve tended to use him more centrally but he has the ability to play anywhere in the attacking phase of the game.”
．How’s the drive into work been in the last couple of days after the win against Leeds? Changed what music you’ve listened to?
“No music. There hasn’t been. I have just been preparing the game.”
．You’ve highlighted how your home life suffers during difficult form, has the win helped?
“Like everybody connected to Chelsea your mood is a bit better when you win. You are a little bit happier but the good thing and bad thing about the job is that there is another game pretty quickly. It’s a massive game and one we need to be ready for. As much as you can celebrate the win against Leeds it’s pretty quickly onto Dortmund on Tuesday so it’s preparation for that. I’m not complaining about that of course. So that is what we have been doing, I can’t give you any songs, I am sorry.”
．You’ll need to score twice to win the game tomorrow, how big a challenge is that?
“We have to play well, be positive. It’s a special occasion for us in front of our supporters, to try to get into the last eight of the Champions League. We’ve had some games where we could’ve scored more than one, that’s for sure, and we need that performance tomorrow night. It’s that simple. We’re playing against a top team in a good place so it’s not going to be easy. But the boys are in a good place. They are confident, motivated, together and we want to take the challenge on and give is our best.”
．In training this morning, everyone had a smile on their face. Has the win over Leeds helped with the atmosphere in the dressing room?
“Believe it or not, the mood has always been positive throughout. It’s not happy, joking and smiling, of course not, but there has been support for each other and a good spirit. You have to take responsibility to know we’re not in a good place results wise, but if you win a game, the smiles come back. You’re not quite singing on the way into training but everybody is happy and we’re looking forward to the game. It’s a great game to be involved in. We’re half-time and are 1-0 down. We need to respond and I think this group of players can do that."
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