Played
September 19, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: Pedro Proença
Attendance: 40918
September 19, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: Pedro Proença
Attendance: 40918
Champions League Preview: Chelsea - Juventus
Roberto Di Matteo will look to repeat the stunning heroics that lead the west Londoners to the Champions League title, beginning with a tie with the unbeatable Bianconeri
By James Burford
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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CHELSEA
 Cech Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole Ramires, Mikel, Lampard Hazard, Torres, Mata |
JUVENTUS
 Buffon Lichsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini Krasic, Vidal, Pirlo, Asamoah Matri, Vucinic |
Chelsea begins the defense of its Champions League title against Italian champion Juventus, with both sides leading their respective leagues after an impressive opening few weeks of the season.
John Terry and Ashley Cole (both ankle) have shaken off knocks that ruled them out of England encounters during the international break and will feature against the Bianconeri. Roberto Di Matteo should also welcome back Juan Mata following the Spaniard's absence from the 0-0 draw against QPR at the weekend.
Juventus will be without former Inter defender Lucio (ankle) who is set to miss the majority of the season.
Following his impressive goal contribution in the season thus far, Kwadwo Asamoah looks set to make the starting XI ahead of Sebastian Giovinco. Nicklas Bendtner will continue to wait on the sidelines following his loan move from Arsenal.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is yet to make his Juventus debut but could feature after being included in the Old Lady's squad.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Chelsea won all six of its Champions League home games last season.
- The Blues have finished as group winners in seven of their last nine Champions League campaigns.
- Chelsea won the last meeting between the sides, claiming a 3-2 aggregate victory.
- Gianluigi Buffon will make his 400th appearance for Juventus if he features in Wednesday night's match.
- Juventus is currently on a 42-match unbeaten streak in Serie A, stretching back to the end of the 2010-11 season.
- Juventus is one of only two teams to have won the Champions League on home soil, the other is Borussia Dortmund.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Chelsea 1-2 Juventus
- 18.26 %
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Chelsea 2-1 Juventus
- 15.34 %
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Chelsea 0-2 Juventus
- 11.04 %
| UEFA Champions League (UCL) | Nov 20, 2012 | Juventus 3 - Chelsea 0 |
|
| UEFA Champions League (UCL) | Sep 19, 2012 | Chelsea 2 - Juventus 2 |
|
| UEFA Champions League (UCL) | Mar 10, 2009 | Juventus 2 - Chelsea 2 |
|
| UEFA Champions League (UCL) | Feb 25, 2009 | Chelsea 1 - Juventus 0 |
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Chelsea
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| May 25, 2013 | Manchester City 5 - Chelsea 3 | FR |
| May 23, 2013 | Chelsea 3 - Manchester City 4 | FR |
| May 19, 2013 | Chelsea 2 - Everton 1 | EPL |
| May 15, 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea 2 | EL |
| May 11, 2013 | Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea 2 | EPL |
Juventus
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| May 18, 2013 | Sampdoria 3 - Juventus 2 | ITA1 |
| May 11, 2013 | Juventus 1 - Cagliari 1 | ITA1 |
| May 8, 2013 | Atalanta 0 - Juventus 1 | ITA1 |
| May 5, 2013 | Juventus 1 - Palermo 0 | ITA1 |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Torino 0 - Juventus 2 | ITA1 |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Branislav Ivanovic | Defender |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 4 | David Luiz | Defender |
| 26 | John Terry | Defender |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 11 | Oscar | Midfielder |
| 12 | John Obi Mikel | Midfielder |
| 17 | Eden Hazard | Midfielder |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 22 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper |
| 24 | Gary Cahill | Defender |
| 28 | César Azpilicueta | Defender |
| 34 | Ryan Bertrand | Defender |
| 6 | Oriol Romeu | Midfielder |
| 13 | Victor Moses | Midfielder |
| 10 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| 1 | Gianluigi Buffon | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Giorgio Chiellini | Defender |
| 15 | Andrea Barzagli | Defender |
| 19 | Leonardo Bonucci | Defender |
| 26 | Stephan Lichtsteiner | Defender |
| 8 | Claudio Marchisio | Midfielder |
| 21 | Andrea Pirlo | Midfielder |
| 22 | Kwadwo Asamoah | Midfielder |
| 23 | Arturo Vidal | Midfielder |
| 9 | Mirko Vučinić | Striker |
| 12 | Sebastian Giovinco | Striker |
| 30 | Marco Storari | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Lúcio | Defender |
| 33 | Mauricio Isla | Defender |
| 24 | Emanuele Giaccherini | Midfielder |
| 39 | Luca Marrone | Midfielder |
| 27 | Fabio Quagliarella | Striker |
| 32 | Alessandro Matri | Striker |
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
12 | 0 |
|
Robert Lewandowski Striker Borussia Dortmund |
10 | 1 |
|
Thomas Müller Striker FC Bayern München |
8 | 1 |
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
8 | 0 |
|
Burak Yılmaz Striker Galatasaray |
8 | 0 |
