Chelsea FC and Roberto di Matteo were under huge pressure even before the match after the 2:1 defeat on the weekend against West Brom.
Chelsea started the game at Juventus Stadium with two major changes compared to the game against West Brom. Hazard started up front for Fernando Torres and Cesar Azpilicueta on the right wing. Juventus put huge pressure on Chelsea straight from the beginning. Lichtsteiner already with great chances in the 2nd and 4th minute and Juventus even hit the post. The old Italian Pirlo dominated the midfield in great fashion. Chelsea got better after 10 minutes and Ramires and Oscar created the first chances for Chelsea. However, Juventus took the lead in the 38th minute – Pirlo with a low shot, deflection and the ball was in the back of the net – 1:0 Juventus. The 2:0 almost followed just 3 minutes later, but Cole cleared on the line.
The 1:0 half-time lead was clearly deserved for Juventus. The game didn’t change in the second half. Vidal with the first chances for the Italian champion, but Cech with great reflexes. However, Vidal did it better in the 61st minute when he scored a deflection and extended the lead to 2:0 – the stadium went wild. Chelsea seemed helpless and with no danger. Di Matteo added Torres as an additional striker in the 70th minute and straight away Chelsea started to create some chances through Mata and Hazard. However, it wasn’t meant to be. Juventus scored the final 3:0 in the 90th minute through Giovinco after a brilliant pass by Vidal.
The loss against Juventus means Chelsea has to win the final game at home against FC Nordsjaelland and hope that Juventus will lose against Donetsk. However, Donetsk is already qualified for the next stage after winning 5:2 against FC Nordsjaelland and surely will rest some players. So, the next stage is between Chelsea and Juventus and the final game will decide. A major concern at Chelsea is Fernando Torres. Can he find his old potential at Chelsea? Di Matteo is stepping on thin ice and Roman Abramovich is not the greatest supporter of the Chelsea manager.
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Azpilicueta, Oscar, Mata; Hazard; Subs: Turnbull, Bertrand, Romeu, Marin, Torres, Piazon, Moses.
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Quagliarella, Vucinic; Subs: Storari, Caceres, Pogba, Pepe, Giaccherini, Giovinco, Matri
