THE NOTEBOOK: Zola gives Chelsea fans something to smile about despite loss

  /  autty

Borussia Dortmund took a step towards the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a 63rd minute goal from Karim Adeyemi against Chelsea.

The winner came through a blistering counter attack led by Raphael Guerriero who released Adeyemi, who ensured the win with a brilliant run and finish.

Chelsea will have some consolation though in that there is only a one goal deficit when the Bundesliga side travel to Stamford Bridge for the second leg.

However, it is the latest setback for Graham Potter's side who are struggling domestically.

Here, Sportsmail's ADRIAN KAJUMBA takes a look at some of the things you may have missed from the Signal Iduna Park.

Zola gives Chelsea fans something to smile about

Gianfranco Zola’s hopes of a quiet, early match-day flight to Germany looked in serious danger when he was spotted boarding the plane by some understandably excited Chelsea fans.

Ever the gentleman, Zola was more than happy to oblige those who wanted a word or a photo and he was, in fairness given his status, generally left in peace.

One of Chelsea’s all-time greats had a fitting seat on the plane – A1 – with a free one handily next to him for selfie-hunters. Meanwhile, the sight of him amid Chelsea’s current issues prompted almost inevitable quips about whether the little magician had packed a pair of boots.

Handy five-a-side team

Speaking of Zola, he could have featured in a pretty handy five-a-side team of former stars in attendance for last night’s game.

Former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Wiedenfeller was working the corporate areas while striker Karl-Heinz Riedle passed through on his way to punditry duty.

One-time Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack and ex-Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg were also among the former stars seen enjoying the big occasion.

No avoiding Dortmund anthems

Starbucks (*other coffee shops are available) should be one of those places where visitors can feel welcome and familiar wherever in the world they find one.

Not in Dortmund however, where they chose to blast out one of the local club’s anthems through their speakers as pre-kick off anticipation built.

Perhaps that obvious show of allegiance was an attempt to deter Chelsea fans who were drinking in the main square near an interestingly-named bar called Wenkers and frustrating staff by only using the coffee shop for its toilet facilities.

PA struggles with Chelsea team

The PA announcer had his time to practice and as kick-off approached his big moment arrived – it was time to read out the teams.

All was going well and until Marc Cucurella followed Carney Chukwuemeka when he got to Chelsea’s subs and his attempt to muddle through and hide his pronunciation struggles failed.

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