European champions Chelsea begin their 2012-13 Champions League campaign with a mouth-watering home fixture against Serie A champions Juventus. Join us from 4:30am AEST for live scores and blog.
Both teams are out to prove that they were not just lucky winners last season, and will surely be aiming to get the three points in their first first-leg European match up.
Three points on the road will be a priceless result for the Bianconeri, while Chelsea will be expecting to take the cake at home.
Juventus were deserving winners of Italy’s Serie A last season, going unbeaten to wrap up their first league-title since 2002-03.
Their record of 23-15-0 will be a talking point among the Chelsea brains trust, who will need to find a way to dismantle the determined Juventus back line commanded by Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon.
Chelsea Manager Roberto di Matteo will be depending on star playmaker Eden Hazard to continue his devastating form in the final third. The 21-year-old Belgian has been instrumental in the Chelsea attack, having a hand in seven of Chelsea’s eight goals this season.
Chelsea are unbeaten in the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League, winning their opening three games, and drawing 0-0 with QPR at Loftus Road.
The inability to register a name on the scoresheet will be food for thought for di Matteo, who professes faith in inconsistent front man Fernando Torres, but has the luxury of having Daniel Sturridge and new signings Victor Moses and the young Brazilian playmaker Oscar waiting in the wings.
Juventus on the other hand have recently lost talismanic striker Alessandro Del Piero to Sydney FC. Del Piero has scored 44 goals in 92 Champions League matches for the Turin-based club, and will be sorely missed should the visitors be struggling to find the back of the net at the 70-minute mark.
There are encouraging signs for Juve too though; the return of young attacking-midfielder Sebastian Giovinco from his loan move to Parma and the potential of his exciting link-up play with the master puppeteer Andrea Pirlo in the middle of the park is certain to set tongues wagging.
Will Chelsea be able to hold off a determined Juve outfit desperate for an away goal or two? Or will the West Londoners prove too strong for the Italians who look in truth a very dangerous outfit even without Alessandro Del Piero?
Join us at 430am AEST, Thursday 20th Sept 2012 for live updates and interactive commentary.
HarryBalding
Roar Guru
A point each is probably the most accurate reflection on a game that was brilliant at times, but scrappy too. Apart from the individual brilliance of Oscar and shining moments from Hazard, Chelsea looked toothless with Fernando Torres again playing that invisible striker role that he's come to play so well. Juventus deserved their goals, they played well in the middle of the park, but it was their defence that earned them the draw. You really only need 3 men at the back when Chiellini and Bonucci are going to be two of them. Chiellini for my man of the match. He was a tower of strength and showed why he's won 'Best Defender in Italy' 3 times in a row. Chelsea fans will feel like they should have had the win with two penalty cries denied, but the referee, who I think had a very good game, had it right on both occasions. Juventus' next game is against Shakhtar Donetsk in Turin, while Chelsea travel to debutants Nordsjælland. Both games fall on the 3rd of October. That's all from me. A great game with a result that Juve will be very happy with. Chelsea, however, maybe should have done better.
HarryBalding
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
HarryBalding
Roar Guru
93' - only seconds to go, and Juve are remaining resolute at the back. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
91' - Chelsea trying desperately to break through and get the winning goal. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
88' - Mata's brilliant delivery into the box strongly defended against. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
88' - Vucinic off, Matri on. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
88' - Free kick for Chelsea about 10 in from half way. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
87' - Quagliarella hits the bar from a turn-and-shoot effort reminiscent of Oscar's first-half effort. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
86' - Juve might be tempted to just set up shop and keep Chelsea at bay here. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
83' - bad cross from Isla is cut out by Cech. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
82' - about ten minutes for the home side to regain the lead, or they will surely feel like they've missed an opportunity to win the 3 points. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
80' - GOAL!!! Quagliarella latches onto a cheeky through ball and nutmegs Petr Cech after Mikel gives away possession stupidly. Great goal! Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
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Roar Guru
79' - Hazard and Mata tearing the defence to pieces but Mata just pushes his shot wide. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
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Roar Guru
77' - another Juventus substitution. Isla on for Liechtsteiner. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
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Roar Guru
77' - Foul by Chiellini on Hazard near the right touchline. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
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Roar Guru
75' - Giovinco off, replaced by the very talented Quagliarella. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
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Roar Guru
74' - Mata on for Oscar. Chelsea supporter's player of the year last year replaces the debutant who has made the telling contribution to the fame so far. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
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Roar Guru
72' - Giovinco takes a wild shot from outside the box that travels high and wide. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
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Roar Guru
69' - Bertrand on, Ramires off. Smart move by di Matteo. Ramires was ineffectual, and having earned a yellow card it might be a substitution aimed at keeping all eleven Chelsea players on the pitch. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1
HarryBalding
Roar Guru
68' - Again Chelsea's appeal for a penalty is denied, as Torres is manhandled by Bonucci. Oscar in some trouble back on the centre circle. Chelsea 2 Juventus 1