Graham Potter will break a Champions League record if Chelsea record a victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday evening.
Potter has endured an indifferent opening 23-match spell in charge of the Blues, prevailing in just nine of his games in all competitions.
With Chelsea having won just two of their last 12 fixtures, as well as the club sitting in 10th spot in the Premier League standings, the 47-year-old is frequently having to bat away questions regarding his long-term future.
However, if reports are to be believed, the club's hierarchy are committed to retaining Potter in the dugout, regardless of how they fare for the remainder of the season.
As a result of qualification for the 2023-24 edition seemingly unlikely to come through England's top flight, there is more pressure on Chelsea to deliver on the continent.
Although the West Londoners are on a four-game unbeaten run, Dortmund have won six successive matches since the resumption of action in Germany, scoring at least twice in every fixture.
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While the Bundesliga giants are the favourites to prevail at the Westfalenstadion, Chelsea boss Potter has an opportunity to set a new Champions League first with success in Germany.
Should the visitors record what would be perceived to be a surprise win on Wednesday evening, Potter would become the first English manager to record five successive victories in the Champions League.
During the group stage, Chelsea produced some of their best football of the season, shaking off collecting just one point from their opening two fixtures to excel in their closing four encounters.
AC Milan were defeated home and away, Chelsea winning 3-0 at Stamford Bridge before posting a 2-0 triumph at San Siro, and they then ended Red Bull Salzburg's prolonged unbeaten home record with an impressive showing in Austria.
Although Chelsea's final group game at home to Dinamo Zagreb came when top spot had already been secured, the English side still came from behind to post a 2-1 win.
On a negative note, Chelsea have only registered three successes in 11 trips to Germany, failing to overcome either Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich on their last two visits.
Darren Plant
