UEFA Champions League
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Played
September 19, 2012 7:45 PM BST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ Pedro Proença‎
Attendance:‬ 40918‎
 
31′ Oscar
Arturo Vidal 38′
33′ Oscar
Fabio Quagliarella 80′

Chelsea - Juventus Preview: Blues look to repeat home comforts that propelled them to last year's title

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

More On :  Chelsea FC, Juventus, Chelsea FC vs Juventus
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CHELSEA

Cech
Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole
Ramires, Mikel, Lampard
Hazard, Torres, Mata
JUVENTUS

Buffon
Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini
Lichtsteiner Pirlo, Asamoah
Vidal, Marchisio
Giovinco, Vucinic

Chelsea begin the defence of their Champions League title against Italian champions 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) with Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini set to be partnered by Leonardo Bonucci at the back.

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 their 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 are currently on a 42-match unbeaten streak in Serie A, stretching back to the end of the 2010-11 season.
  • Juventus are one of only two teams to have won the Champions League on home soil, the other is Borussia Dortmund.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Chelsea FC 1-2 Juventus
    18.26 %
  • Chelsea FC 2-1 Juventus
    15.34 %
  • Chelsea FC 0-2 Juventus
    11.04 %
Head to Head
UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Nov 20, 2012 Juventus 3 - Chelsea FC 0
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UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Sep 19, 2012 Chelsea FC 2 - Juventus 2
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UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Mar 10, 2009 Juventus 2 - Chelsea FC 2
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UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Feb 25, 2009 Chelsea FC 1 - Juventus 0
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Last Five Matches
Chelsea FC
May 15, 2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
May 11, 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
May 8, 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2EPL
May 5, 2013Man Utd. 0 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
May 2, 2013Chelsea FC 3 - Basel 1EL
Juventus
May 18, 2013Sampdoria 3 - Juventus 2ITA1
May 11, 2013Juventus 1 - Cagliari 1ITA1
May 8, 2013Atalanta 0 - Juventus 1ITA1
May 5, 2013Juventus 1 - Palermo 0ITA1
Apr 28, 2013Torino 0 - Juventus 2ITA1
Odds
Returns: Chelsea £150.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £32.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Juventus £190.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
3Ashley ColeDefender
4David LuizDefender
26John TerryDefender
7RamiresMidfielder
8Frank LampardMidfielder
11OscarMidfielder
12John Obi MikelMidfielder
17Eden HazardMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
22Ross TurnbullGoalkeeper
24Gary CahillDefender
28César AzpilicuetaDefender
34Ryan BertrandDefender
6Oriol RomeuMidfielder
13Victor MosesMidfielder
10Juan MataStriker
1Gianluigi BuffonGoalkeeper
3Giorgio ChielliniDefender
15Andrea BarzagliDefender
19Leonardo BonucciDefender
26Stephan LichtsteinerDefender
8Claudio MarchisioMidfielder
21Andrea PirloMidfielder
22Kwadwo AsamoahMidfielder
23Arturo VidalMidfielder
9Mirko VučinićStriker
12Sebastian GiovincoStriker
30Marco StorariGoalkeeper
3LucioDefender
33Mauricio IslaDefender
24Emanuele GiaccheriniMidfielder
39Luca MarroneMidfielder
27Fabio QuagliarellaStriker
32Alessandro MatriStriker
Players to Watch
Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
6 3 0 0
The now reinvigorated frontman is really starting to repay the millions Roman Abramovich paid for him. It was not long ago that Torres looked lethargic, unhappy and clueless, but now the Spaniard cannot seem to put a foot wrong. As he thrives on the service from Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Ramires, he continues to look more and more unplayable.
Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 21
Games Goals YC RC
10 0 0 0
As against England at Euro 2012, the Italian maestro will look to rule proceedings once more. Although diminutive in stature, Pirlo more than makes up for it in presence. He makes his team-mates play better and for that reason, Chelsea should watch out.
Prediction
Both sides have displayed plenty of defensive aptitude in recent months, with Chelsea the current Champions League holders and Juventus on an unbelievable undefeated run. With that in mind, goals may be hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, but that shouldn't detract from what will surely be an entertaining game.
Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 1
Juventus 1
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		12 0
Robert Lewandowski Robert Lewandowski
Striker
Dortmund 		10 1
Thomas Müller Thomas Müller
Striker
Bayern 		8 1
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		8 0
Burak Yılmaz Burak Yılmaz
Striker
Galatasaray 		8 0