Socrates

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Fragile Chelsea show Di Matteo the value of Terry amid Champions League horror show Gary Cahill and David Luiz combined to concede the Blues' 20th goal in 10 games as the champions of Europe were blown away by Juventus in a 3-0 rout. Nov 21, 2012 COMMENT By Jay Jaffa What has happened to the house that Jose built? The modern Chelsea, the multiple Premier League winners, the FA Cup plunderers, the European champions, were all built on a dauntless backline capable of repelling even the most incisive attacks. But as the full-time whistle blew in the Stadio Juventus, a shell of the blue curtain so indomitable against Barcelona and Bayern Munich in 2011-12 was presented to the millions watching the Old Lady triumph 3-0. In days gone by Petr Cech could go an entire match barely being noticed – remember the 2004-05 season and the preposterously minute 15 goals they conceded in 38 Premier League games? His reputation may be ascending once more, but this is down to his prominent role in any Chelsea matchday narrative. There is only so much the six-foot five-inch Czech shot-stopper can do and it became brutally clear that those operating in front of him were conceding far too much space in and around the penalty box to keep Cech out of the firing line. Inevitably the bundle of chances that came Juve's way would yield at least a couple of goals. Though Roberto Di Matteo chose to play three centre-backs with Ashley Cole and Cesar Azpilicueta as wing-backs, the performance had echoes of the 3-1 defeat to Napoli in last season's edition of the Champions League. That night, also minus John Terry, the Blues looked panicked against an Italian side vibrant in their movement and direct in their probes. On Tuesday night, it was a repeat as Gary Cahill and David Luiz were shackled together once more. They may have had the additional assistance of Branislav Ivanovic, but the outcome was similar. Sebastian Giovinco's 91st-minute strike was the 20th goal Chelsea had conceded in the last 10 games the pair had started together – a world away from the bolted iron door the Blues defence was a mere six months ago. And against Juventus, hardly a side blessed with world-class strikers, there was pandemonium in the penalty box. There was an element of fortune for the first two goals, certainly, but David Luiz was pulled all over the pitch and did little to further the claims of those who label him as a top-class defender. At one stage he appeared so disoriented, a long ball hit him on the back as he retreated towards goal. Cahill did not fair much better and was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty after a clumsy tangle with Mirko Vucinic. Fabio Quagliarella, for all his enigmatic ability around the box, has only scored 12 goals in the whole of this calendar year. Vucinic likewise. This was not a goalscoring front line but it was up against a porous defence all too aware of its vulnerability. This leads us onto the absence of the club captain, Terry. Putting to one side the various misdemeanours we do not need to revisit, there still stands a top-class centre-back. The 31-year-old may be discovering that all the fearless blocks and tackles he has made over the years are ravaging his body, but his supporters are being served a constant reminder of his quality. Unfortunately it is via his absence in the first team. The four games he missed through suspension saw 10 goals conceded but in many ways it is the intangible aspects to Terry's game that Chelsea miss the most. It is a familiar theory: "Captain, Leader, Legend" reassures one banner at Stamford Bridge. Take him out of the starting XI and carnage ensues. For all the potential of David Luiz, he looked rudderless, a bedraggled sailor without his skipper. Cahill must live with the ignominy of failing both a club and international test to be Terry's rightful heir. On current evidence, he is a long way short. Much has been made of the attacking wealth at Di Matteo's beck and call but he is discovering in the most painful of ways that transition from a team of meticulous efficiency to a Barcelona MK II is not as simple as spending a fortune on gifted attackers. Granted, the best chance of the game (aside from Giovinco's which was at a stage where the game was over) fell to Eden Hazard and had he opened the scoring instead of Quagliarella, the post-mortem may be different. It was always unlikely that Chelsea would sail through this season, blowing everyone away with the glittering football Roman Abramovich has craved for so long but the small cracks seeping in must be at least mildly distressing. John Obi Mikel and David Luiz's on-pitch spat hinted at frustration with Chelsea's play and dampened an already dreary night. The club are already without the sidelined Frank Lampard and the departed Didier Drogba, but losing Terry is one absent figurehead too many for the new Chelsea to manage. Often in times of strife you find out more than you expected of the characters around you and as Cech spoke to the ITV cameras afterwards and touched upon the idea of destiny in football it was hard not to wonder. Destiny may have led to European glory last season, but it looks as if a different path entirely has been mapped out for the Blues this year. If it helps solve the conundrum at the back, Di Matteo, Abramovich, et al will force a smile through the Turin grimace. Small mercies and all that.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Cech: Chelsea defeat to Juventus a huge disappointment The Blues keeper expresses his despondency at the fact that the club's Champions League progression is no longer in their own hands following a 3-0 humbling in Italy. Nov 21, 2012 Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits that his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat by Juventus was a "huge disappointment". The Blues' convincing defeat leaves the Old Lady requiring just one point against already-qualified Shahktar Donetsk in their final Group F game to prevent the holders from reaching the knockout stages. "We said before the game we had our destiny in our own hands but not anymore," Cech told reporters after the match. "Now we have to do our bit to win our last game and hope destiny will be kind to us. "Being realistic, Juventus played really well and they need a point. Shakhtar have already qualified so they don't need to take a chance on the result. "It is a very sad moment because last season the Champions League was like a dream. I wouldn't say it's a nightmare but it's a huge disappointment." The 30 year-old praised the Bianconeri's performance but argued that his team contributed to their own downfall by not being clinical in front of goal. "I think we showed much better spirit than in the last few games," he continued. "We did well and created some chances but, in such an important game, if you create chances you have to take them and that was the difference. "They went ahead with a lucky deflection and the second goal was a deflection as well but they put on a very good performance and they did really well."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Vidal an unlikely goal hero Nov 21, 2012 Arturo Vidal has admitted that he is surprised by his goal-packed start to the season with Juventus. The Chilean midfielder has scored nine goals in official games for the Old Lady this term, his latest coming in the 3-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday. “I’m happy to be scoring so many, I didn’t think I would begin the campaign like this in front of goal,” he noted. “It’s important to keep going on this path, but above all by helping the team to win. “It was a difficult game against Chelsea, but we played with intelligence. We put our head, heart and legs into this encounter. “It’s a message to everyone, showing that we’re strong in Italy but also in Europe.” Vidal has been a revelation in Turin since his 2011 switch from Bayer Leverkusen. “I’m happy to wear the shirt of Juventus, to play in front of these fans. “I’m living through a beautiful moment of my life.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Lichtsteiner: I can’t always play… Nov 21, 2012 Stephan Lichtsteiner was happy with his performance against Chelsea after returning to the Juventus starting line-up. The Swiss international hadn’t played since the November 3 defeat to Inter, but made an impression on the right in the 3-0 win last night. “You can’t play all of the games when you are a wing-back,” the former Lazio player commented. “It’s a role where you have to work very hard. “Nevertheless, I was able to play well this evening, just as all the team did, and I’m happy,” said the man who hit the post with the score at 0-0. “Chelsea were a bit tired after 60, 70 minutes of high intensity action and we did well to control the play. “I hoped to be able to score, given that I didn’t manage to at the start, but all’s well that ends well.” Lichtsteiner’s lack of action in recent weeks did lead to suggestions that his relationship with boss Antonio Conte had broken down. “You read too many newspapers,” he said after being asked about that speculation. “It annoys me when things are written about me that are not true.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Asamoah hails Juventus tactics Nov 21, 2012 Kwadwo Asamoah has credited Juventus boss Antonio Conte for masterminding the 3-0 destruction of Chelsea. The Old Lady beat the reigning Champions League holders on Tuesday with a victory that keeps their hopes of a last 16 place alive. “If we do what our Coach tells us then we know that we are a strong team,” the Ghanaian international noted. “We knew that if we managed to put our preparations into practice then we could cause Chelsea plenty of problems – and that’s precisely how it went. “We all played a great game and gained a deserved victory.” Asamoah played a crucial part in Juventus’ second goal as he assisted Arturo Vidal after some good work on the left. “It was a goal we have studied on the training pitch. I saw Arturo unmarked in the middle and just passed him the ball.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Chiellini: We still need a point! Nov 21, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini admits he has regrets that Juventus have still not qualified for the Champions League last 16 despite the emphatic win over Chelsea. “It’s shame that we can’t celebrate qualification after winning this tie,” the 28-year-old commented. “Now we need a point, a difficult and important one.” Juve are unbeaten in their group, but will need to get a result in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk to get through. The Old Lady crushed the reigning European Champions with a 3-0 scoreline at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday. “It wasn’t easy,” the stopper added. “They have extremely dangerous attackers who can pounce when given space and we did afford them the odd opportunity. “However, it was a great Juventus performance. We’ve got back to playing a great brand of football following the Inter defeat. “We’re now playing with that intensity again which was missing at the start of the campaign.” Chiellini limped out of the game in the closing stages. “I suffered a muscle strain, but I don’t think it is anything too serious.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Di Matteo: 'Chelsea can still qualify' Nov 20, 2012 Roberto Di Matteo insists Chelsea “still have hope of qualifying” for the Champions League knockouts after their defeat to Juventus. “We wasted three big scoring opportunities before their opening goal,” he told Mediaset Premium after their 3-0 hammering. “The first goal in an important game like this is decisive. They were also a little lucky when Andrea Pirlo’s shot took a deflection off Fabio Quagliarella.” Juventus now need only a point against Shakhtar Donetsk, who are already qualified, so secure their spot in the next round and eliminate the reigning Champions of Europe. “Pressure? When you are the manager of a big club like this is it normal you’re going to get criticised if the results do not arrive. “Having said that, there was pressure last season too. We still have hope of qualifying, as mathematically it is possible.” Chelsea will go through only if they beat Nordsjaelland and Juve lose in Donetsk. There are already reports in the English media that Di Matteo might not even be on the bench by the time those games come round.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Cech: 'Juve deserved to win' Nov 20, 2012 Petr Cech concedes Juventus “deserved to win” against Chelsea and qualification is now in the Italians’ hands. “We showed much better spirit than the last games,” the goalkeeper said of the 3-0 defeat in Turin. “The first half it was very difficult, we did well and created chances, but if you create a chance you need to take it. That was the difference. “They went ahead with a lucky deflection, the second goal was another deflection but they did very well and deserved to win. We didn't cope very well. “We said before the game that we have our destiny in our hands, not any more. Now we need to do our bit, we need to win our last game and hope our fate is kind. “Being realistic Juventus played very well and they need a point and Shakhtar are already through. It is a very sad moment.” Chelsea won the Champions League much to the surprise of many last season, but could go out in the first round. “Last season the Champions League was like a dream, now this is a like …not a nightmare, just very disappointing.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Quagliarella: 'Almost impossible...' Nov 20, 2012 Fabio Quagliarella admits it was “almost impossible” that he scored against Chelsea with the same trick that had gone so close with Lazio. On Saturday his toe-poke on a long-range shot was saved under the bar by Federico Marchetti, but tonight it squirmed past Petr Cech during a 3-0 victory. “It was almost impossible to have the same opportunity, only this time I deflected it low and that probably helped it to go in. “A striker is always happy when he scores. It was also my third start in a row, which hadn’t happened in almost two years. “This was one of those game that are written in the history of the club. It’s a night we will never forget. “We all played on adrenaline and gave it everything we had to put in a great performance.” Quagliarella was asked how the five hitmen dealt with the constant rotation by Coach Antonio Conte. “It is never easy for strikers to deal with this rotation, but the Coach has been clear with us and said he will rotate all five forwards. It can happen that a forward plays three games in a row, then goes on the bench. We are aware of the situation and therefore relaxed.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Bonucci: 'This is Juventus' Nov 20, 2012 Leonardo Bonucci explained the approach against Chelsea. “If we sit back and wait, then we’re not Juventus.” The Bianconeri crushed Chelsea 3-0 in Turin to leapfrog them into second place in the Champions League group. “We knew that we had to keep believing and keep pushing. When we step on to the field as Juventus, then we can have our say in Italy or in Europe,” said the defender. “Tonight we dominated the reigning champions of Europe, so we proved that we are competitive and now go to Donetsk. We are not really built to defend, so we will go there looking for the win. “If we sit back and wait, then we’re not Juventus. We have shown over the last 18 months that our characteristics are attacking, pressing them in their own half and winning back the ball to pin teams back. We can’t do that if we are not aggressive. “Chelsea made the most of two or three mistaken movements, including mine, to go on the counter. We only allowed them two chances down to our errors. “All of us knew that we had to bring out more than 100 per cent from ourselves to beat the reigning European Champions. We had to fight for every ball and work to the last drop of sweat. That is Juventus.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Buffon: 'Juve sent a signal' Nov 20, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon believes the dominant win over Chelsea was “a sign for Juventus and for Italy” that silenced the doubters. “It’s wonderful, like many other victories with Juve, but when you give such a convincing performance – in tactical, physical, psychological terms – it’s a great sign for Juve and for Italy,” he said of the 3-0 Champions League result. “Some had doubts on us, but playing like this I think we cast those aside. We have our certainties and know that we still have to qualify. I hope we can do that. “If we should go out, at least we achieved nine points and it means we fought on level terms with everyone and got back to being competitive. That was our imperative. “We won in every area tonight. We were hungrier, sharper, more attacking, more creative and with a little more precision could’ve scored even more.” Juventus are now second in Group E with nine points, while Shakhtar Donetsk have qualified thanks to a 5-2 victory at Nordsjaelland. The Bianconeri will go through as long as they earn a point in Donetsk.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Alessio: 'Chelsea tactics helped' Nov 20, 2012 Assistant manager Angelo Alessio hinted that Roberto Di Matteo’s tactical choices actually helped Juventus to beat Chelsea. Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vucinic were chosen for tonight’s 3-0 victory in the Champions League. “Antonio chooses the strikers based on form and the characteristics of the opposition,” said Conte’s assistant. The opener saw Quagliarella toe-poke an Andrea Pirlo strike to surprise Petr Cech. It was a very similar move to the one against Lazio on Saturday which Federico Marchetti saved with an extraordinary leap. “Deflections are not practiced. On Saturday Marchetti did well to deny it, but this time it was a little wider and he was able to score. “We all wanted this type of game, keeping the tempo up, pressuring Chelsea and pinning them back. Of course we were bound to allow a few counters, but that was all.” The final match is away to already-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk and a draw would suit both teams – it’d be enough for the Ukrainians to stay top and for Juve to secure second place. “We realise how important the final game will be and we’re not qualified yet. We must play the same way we did today.” Alessio was asked about Chelsea’s unusual tactical choices, in which they left Fernando Torres on the bench. “This team is made to play at this tempo and unfortunately at times we allow some counter-attacks, but we wanted this victory at all costs. “Shakhtar and Chelsea are two great teams and have champions with real technical quality. Tonight we faced a Chelsea side without a reference point in attack and perhaps that helped us tonight. “I want to thank our marvellous fans who accepted Antonio’s invitation to create a cauldron in the stadium and we dedicate the win to them.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 'Juventus have proved doubters wrong' - Buffon The veteran keeper has hailed his side's win over Chelsea as one for the whole of Italy, and believes they dominated the European champions in every department. Nov 20, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes that his side have proved that they belong in the Champions League, having recorded a 3-0 win over Chelsea. Goals from Fabio Quagliarella, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco were enough to seal a vital three points for the Serie A leaders, who are now poised to progress to the knock-out stages of the competition. "It's wonderful," he told reporters. "Some had doubts about us, but I think we cast those aside by playing like this. We have our certainties and know that we still have to quality. I hope we can do that. "When you give such a convincing performance - in tactical, physical, psychological terms - it's a great sign for Juve and for Italy. "If we should go out, at least we achieved nine points, which means we fought on level terms with everyone and got back to being competitive. That was imperative. "We won in every area tonight. We were hungrier, sharper, more attacking, more creative and with a little more precision, we could have scored even more." Juventus need a mere point from their trip to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk to confirm their place in the next phase of the competition.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Juventus destroy the European champions to prove they are back among the elite The Bianconeri thrashed Chelsea to move to within a single point of the last 16, and with it made a clear statement of intent to the continent's big boys. Nov 20, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer In many ways, it was the perfect evening. Juventus started well, scored goals at the right times, and restricted Chelsea to the odd dangerous counter-attack. As statements of intent go, the Bianconeri’s 3-0 mauling of the Champions League holders was among the most convincing you could get. The Old Lady is not just alive and kicking, she’s singing from the rooftops and back among the best Europe has to offer. Yes, Juve are not qualified yet, and they face a tricky trip to Donetsk on December 5 needing a draw to finish off the job. Yes, they lived dangerously at times as the Premier League outfit threatened to pick them off on the break when the game was still in the balance. But the Bianconeri dominated for long periods, controlled the midfield, made twice as many chances as the Blues, and forced Petr Cech into a number of saves which ensured he was the visitors’ busiest player. Make no mistake about it, this was a booming declaration that Juventus are back. Their Scudetto triumph gave them a leg up; it was their first step on the road back to redemption after the Calciopoli scandal ripped the heart out of the club. But a club’s European record is the real measure of its success in most eyes in the 21st Century, and an outfit that has so often failed to convert domestic dominance into continental crowns in the past needs to be in amongst the greats of the game to be taken seriously. Their performance at Juventus Stadium was cutting, it was controlled and it was convincing. Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio once more had the better of the game across the middle. Fabio Quagliarella showed the striker’s instinct the Bianconeri have sometimes lacked in poking home the opening goal, and once Vidal fired in a deflected second, Chelsea looked more than ready to throw in the towel. Sebastian Giovinco’s injury-time clincher was simply the icing on the cake. After their difficulties in the early part of the campaign, they are now in a great position to advance. And if they do, they will be a big threat. None of the Barcelonas, Real Madrids, Manchester Uniteds or Bayern Munichs will relish facing the Old Lady come February, with Juve now a very different prospect to the side which briefly flirted with a return to Europe with little success in 2008 and 2009. Forget those two campaigns, they weren't reflective of the great Turin club at their best. Forget even their horror show against Nordsjaelland. At this moment in time, they look ready for the task. They’re still maybe a striker short of being among the very best, and if there was one warning tonight it was that their tendency to occasionally leave their back three exposed can cause them a few scares. But the positives massively outweigh the negatives, and the high-energy, slick style with which they try to play the game whoever the opposition deserves to be applauded. Juventus are well and truly back, and they need just one more point to give themselves a chance to ruffle the feathers of those they’ve had to sit back and watch for the last six years. It’s in their hands now.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670‎ Player Ratings The Blues' European defence hangs by a thread after goals from Fabio Quagliarella, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco give the Italian champions a comprehensive victory in Turin. Nov 20, 2012 Juventus Gianluigi Buffon - On the occasions when his team's high pressing left him exposed, he made smart saves to deny Hazard and Mata. Commanded his penalty area superbly. Giorgio Chiellini - Occasionally found it difficult to deal with Hazard's pace and trickery but, on the whole, marshalled his defence well. Andrea Barzagli - Defended with aggression and conviction, ensuring that Chelsea got no change from long, hopeful balls upfield. Leonardo Bonucci - Struggled with the fluidity of Chelsea's attack and resorted to cynical fouls when his lack of pace was exposed. Stephan Lichtsteiner - Attacked with real intent down the right flank and only a superb reflex save from Cech prevented him from opening the scoring early on. Claudio Marchisio - Showed, aggression, energy and poise in the midfield, and his well-timed runs into the penalty area caused panic in the Chelsea defence. Andrea Pirlo - Controlled proceedings from midfield, regularly escaping the attentions of Oscar and exerting much more of an influence than in the game at Stamford Bridge. Kwadwo Asamoah - Kept good width on the left, attacking whenever he got the chance and regularly clipping in dangerous crosses. Showed great awareness to pick out Vidal for the decisive second. Arturo Vidal - A bundle of energy in the centre of the park, working tirelessly from box to box and keeping the ball well for his team. Deserved his goal, even if it came courtesy of a deflection. Mirko Vučinić - Showed some neat close control and clever movement, but his finishing was tame. Fabio Quagliarella - Like Vucinic, made intelligent runs in the final third to create space for midfield runners, and showed great improvisation for his goal. Substitutions Martín Cáceres - Replaced Lichtsteiner with just over 20 minutes to go as Juve shut up shop. Sebastian Giovinco - Came on for Vucinic with seven minutes left, and helped himself to the easiest of goals. Paul Pogba - What a nice experience for the young french player those few minutes in a great Champions League match. Chelsea FC Petr Cech - Made some superb stops as his side largely weathered what seemed an unending storm for the first hour. Beaten by deflections for two Juve goals and made a strange decision to rush out for the third. By then, though, the game was already over. Branislav Ivanovic - His decision-making was suspect all evening and the fact that most of the hosts' success came down his flank says everything about his performance. Ashley Cole - Made a heroic last-ditch clearance to stop Juve heading into the break with a two-goal lead but his efforts were ultimately in vain. David Luiz - His usual confident self on the ball but his positioning once again left something to be desired and his general demeanour was not of someone who fully appreciated the seriousness of the situation. Gary Cahill - Little better than his defensive partner at stemming the tide of Juve goal attempts and the movement of Quagliarella and Vucinic troubled him all evening. César Azpilicueta - Selected to provide an extra shield for Ivanovic as well as contrbuting to Blues attacks, he did neither, and was anonymous until his withdrawal for Moses on the hour. Ramires - Looked uncomfortable when penned in around his own penalty area, making several questionable decisions on the ball, and being given precious little opportunity to showcase his blistering pace from midfield. Oscar - His run early on to set up Hazard's chance was a delight but thereafter he faded to the periphery. John Obi Mikel - Looked slow to make decisions on the ball, but that might also be explained by the fact that he had no options. Eden Hazard - Unlucky to miss a golden opportunity early on and worked tirelessly for the cause up front alone but was starved of service after the break. Juan Mata - Buzzed around expectantly on the halfway line and in the final third but, all too often, the play never reached him. Substitutions Victor Moses - Showed energy and enthusiasm when he replaced Azpilicueta with half an hour left, but a minute after his arrival Vidal ended the match as a contest. Fernando Torres - Replaced Mikel on 71 minutes with the game already lost. Was anonymous again. He should not be judged on tonight but on the string of listless performances which led to him relegated to the bench in favour of a midfielder.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Juventus 3-0 Chelsea REVIEW: Were You Watching, Europe? Nov 20, 2012 Finally, another glorious European night in Turin! Reigning European Champions Chelsea FC visited the Juventus Stadium looking for the draw that would send them through to next round of the tournament with only the formality of beating Nordsjælland at home. Let’s just say they didn’t get what they came for! Here are Lars and John with the break down of the match that finally saw Juventus re-enter the hierarchy of top clubs. MATCH ANALYSIS (by Lars Pedersen) In what was a somewhat a surprise move, Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo decided to bench the under-performing Fernando Torres and start with Eden Hazard as a “false 9” in front of Mata, Oscar and the surprise inclusion Azpilicueta in a more advanced role. Much like in the group stage game between Italy and Spain at the European Championships, a striker-less formation did not manage to trouble the “BBC” back three too much, though. During the opening minutes, the course of the game was laid out pretty clear: Juventus pressured aggressively while Chelsea were quite contend with sitting back and sending away their pacey and tricky front three on the break. Both plans worked initially, as the Bianconeri piled on the pressure and created numerous chances in the first half hour, notably a Stephan Lichtsteiner finish in the fourth minute cleared onto the post by Petr Čech and a Claudio Marchisio long range shot after a smart corner-routine, again parried by the ‘keeper. At the other end, Chelsea looked very dangerous on the counter through Oscar, Mata and Hazard. In the 25th, Andrea Pirlo tried a smart under-the-wall free kick, but Cech was alert. The game settled for a while, Juve still seeing the most of the ball, but just after the half hour mark, first Leonardo Bonucci and then Pirlo gave balls away to some threatening Chelsea plays. However, the Juve pressure paid off soon after, as a hopeful Pirlo-shot was crucially deflected by Fabio Quagliarella, who made sure the ball got just enough spin to escape the unfortunate Cech in the visitors’ goal. Looking at the replay, Quags actually, like the effort so marvelously saved by Marchetti vs. Lazio at the weekend, had clear intend when putting his foot to the ball. As Top Strikers do! Juventus continued to press on for the remainder of the half, resulting in a few half chances and a huge scare, as Mata was denied by Gigi Buffon at point blank range after another swift play by Hazard. The second half continued as the first had finished, Juventus very much looking to extend their lead while the Blues still tried to penetrate the Juve defence with clever runs. Those were impressively stifled by the Bianconero back-line, whilst the home team threatened through Quagliarella and Pirlo before the hour. At the 61st minute, the Chelsea defence was carved open via a long throw-in from Giorgio Chiellini, a smart pass from Mirko Vucinic to Kwadwo Asamoah who laid it back for Arturo Vidal to fire a shot (deflected by Ramires) into an open net. 2-0, and the Juventus Stadium erupted with a hitherto withheld roar of triumph and relief. From the on it was rather smooth sailing for the Bianconeri, surrendering possession to the opposition, soaking up pressure and, crucially, not allowing for those dangerous counter attacks. The introduction of Victor Moses and Fernando Torres did little for Chelsea, whilst Martin Caceres came on for a burned-out Lichtsteiner to secure the right flank. Chelsea naturally sought the crucial goals in the last half hour, but to no avail, or indeed any real threat. Instead, Vucinic skied a golden opportunity in the 74th. Later he would make way for Sebastian Giovinco who was set to come on for Quagliarella, but at the last minute it was the Montenegrin who opted out, seemingly still not entirely fit. It proved a good move at any rate (Quags eventually subbed with Paul Pogba in the dying minutes), as Giovinco would go on to finish the game off, exploiting a quick counter-attacking move by simply prodding the ball home instead of taking on the bemused Cech, who was left rooted well outside his box. LE PAGELLE (by John Cascarano) Buffon 7.5 – At first I wanted to give Gigi a slightly above average score, only for lack of work. Then I began working off my notes, and considered the saves off of Hazard in the 9th minute off of a quick break, and off Mata who almost made it 1-1 during the first half. Although he otherwise had little else to worry about, those were pivotal saves at pivotal moments, and kept the game firmly in Juventus’ control. Extra .5 for always looking tidy on any dribbles or passes into the box, aggressively charging and scooping up any danger. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chiellini 7.0 – Another solid performance by Giorgio. Cleared away any danger and himself looked dangerous in the air on set pieces. I could pretty much copy and paste his pagelle game after game. Bonucci 7.0 – A couple of nice steals, and some slick defending by he and Barzagli off of a nice run of play by Ramires and Oscar. Constantly cleaning up in the back. I dare say…he’s looking like a sweeper. Barzagli 6.5 – Andrea capped off a Juventus defense which holistically gave fans little to be concerned with on the night. Constantly stayed on his men and somehow kept up in foot races against fast-breaking (and much faster) attackers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asamoah 7.0 – Man, I love this guy. He didn’t seem like a typical left winger, and he really isn’t… but he’s getting the job done. Some nice fancy dribbling, good hustle, and some dangerous crosses, all night long. A great signing for his versatility alone. Marchisio 8.0 – I will probably be ridiculed mercilessly for giving Principino such a high score, but he was simply all over the field. Constantly running in the midfield, darting through gaps in space on both sides off the ball, and if not for (yet another) beautiful Cech save, would have opened the floodgates himself in the first half. Pirlo 6.5 – Has looked like a far more complete midfielder since joining Juventus, and nothing changed this evening. Every time he wins the ball, I get excited, but he’s been doing far more of that than I’d expected (bonus!). Credit for having the balls to constantly shoot from outside and make things happen (i.e. Quagliagol), but loses 0.5 for a dangerous giveaway in the 30th immediately after a wasted free kick straight at Cech. Vidal 7.5 – Our Top Player, and our top striker, period (I know he’s not a striker, that’s the point). The model of consistency in the midfield, and – much like Marchisio – seems to have a knack for coming up with a vital goal in a pinch when the strikers are running dry. Lichtsteiner 6.5 – Bombed up and down the field, nearly scored early on if not for Cech doing a Marchetti impression. A constant source of energy, I thought he was playing striker at times. Watching him shout at Quagliarella is always fun. ’68 Caceres 6.0 – Martin provided Stefan with some rest, and got off some nice crosses from the right side. This team is looking very deep. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vucinic 6.5 – Overall played well. Looked sharp, and moved well with the ball in tight spaces. Loses a .5 for missing a sitter in the second half that would have put the game away for certain (earlier). ’83 Giovinco 6.5 – Provided a perfect spark off the bench, playing well and making things happen immediately. Scored a goal off of a beautiful finish off of a beautiful run, but loses a .5 for proving that Napoleon’s complex is indeed real, and earning a foolish yellow card for removing his shirt afterwards. Hey, Seba… you’re not that jacked. Quagliarella 7.0 – Seemed to be trying too hard at first, with a couple of desperate shots straight to the keeper. Finally got it right this time, as a deflection off of Pirlo’s boot found its way past Cech (unlike against Marchetti last weekend). ’89 Pogba s.v. – Could you imagine being 19 years old and even warming up on the sidelines before a Champions League match against the defending champions? Neither could I. Glad he got some mop-up minutes at the end. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conte / Alessio 9.0 – Completely out-managed, out-prepared, and out classed Di Matteo. The staff have done well thus far with one Conte tied behind their back. ANALYSIS WRAP-UP (by Lars Pedersen) Apart from the individual displays, impressive as they were, what Juventus should take away from this game is the very simple fact that they could. Being dominant in Italy doesn’t necessarily transfer to the European stage, especially not in these times of crisis. In holding her ground firmly and resoundingly against a team that is de facto an improved version of the one winning the Champions League six months ago, the Old Lady has every reason to believe that the progress she has made is indeed worthy of some of her previous incarnations. Finally. Andiamo ragazzi! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv8yg8_juvche30hig_shortfilms

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Why the Blues Can't Recover in 2012 Champions League Nov 20, 2012 Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo was surprisingly upbeat ahead of his team's must-win match against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League. Not that the manager isn't normally upbeat, but given the fact the Blues haven't won an English Premier League match in over a month and were heading towards elimination in the very competition where they triumphed so majestically last year, Di Matteo's confidence was both unexpected and refreshing. Commenting via The Telegraph, the Blues' boss had this to say prior to kickoff. I'm not thinking about my future, I'm preparing the game and the team for tomorrow, and have important decisions to make about that. We are confident we can have a good game and, hopefully, a good result. They need to have belief in themselves, and that's the most important aspect. We work together, and, at the moment, we're all in it together and believe we have a good group—a good team—and are pulling together. We believe we can get a positive result. However, after watching his side concede three goals to the defending Italian champions and placing themselves in a tough spot for the remainder of the tournament, Di Matteo's confidence had changed to misery; his high-flying spirit struck down by the depressing, somber reality of defeat. Following the loss, Di Matteo had this to say (per Sky Sports): I thought this was the team to beat Juventus, but if the result is negative you always face repercussions. We still have hope because mathematically it is still possible because Shakhtar can beat Juve at home. In a big club like this—if you have a few bad results—you are going to be under pressure but you have to live with it. And it's been like that from day one, and it's up to me to pick the players up now. While the manager does possess hope for the future of his team in the European competition, the truth is that this club is very unlikely to progress through the group-stages and into the final 16 of the tournament. Even those who are looking through the bluest of spectacles will concede that their path to the knockout rounds is incredibly unlikely. To progress, Chelsea would need to beat lowly Nordsjaelland at home—which is almost a given—but would be relying on Shakhtar Donetsk to beat the Italian giants in the final round—which is where the problems begin to come in for the West London club. Shakhtar have been one of the form sides in world football this season, which at first glance, seems to bode well for the Blues, who need the Ukrainian club to dominate their Italian opponents—similar to what they did when the two met earlier in the European competition. At home, Shakhtar have lost just three domestic matches in their past six seasons (yes, you read that right), and could well be too much for Juventus to handle. However, keep in mind that the Ukrainian club have already qualified for the knockout rounds; they do not need any points from their match against Juve and have nothing to play for, whereas the Italian giants have everything to play for. Shakhtar's place in the final 16 is guaranteed, and with a three-month lay off in the Ukrainian Premier League set to take place following their match against the Italian side, they simply will not risk injuring any of their star players ahead of the rest period. Their starting lineup will not be strong and in contrast, Juventus will do whatever they can over the next two weeks to ensure that their squad is as dominant and as ready as it could be to win one single football match. Oh, yeah, and they only need to draw. Their 3-0 demolition of Chelsea means that should they finish on equal points—which is what would happen in Juventus draw and Chelsea win their last match—the Italian champions would still progress through with the better head-to-head record. The West London club's future in the Champions League is not in their hands but on the boots of Juventus, and after watching the most recent performance of those boots, it seems highly unlikely that their future in the tournament will last anything longer than Matchday 6. Chelsea will finish third and be put into the round of 32 in the Europa League—a move that could well have some ironic yet frustrating consequences for the Blues, who are simply desperate for some new attacking life in their club. It seems there's a bigger problem taking place at Stamford Bridge than one loss this week and a loss the weekend before in the English Premier League. It's a problem that is working it's way through the whole club, and could well find some new pores to seep if current performances do not improve soon. Not once has the defending champion of the UEFA Champions League trophy been eliminated in the group-stages of the tournament. Not until this year, that is. At least Chelsea are making history.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Di Matteo uses Hazard upfront, but Chelsea lose the game elsewhere Nov 20, 2012 Juventus played excellently and comfortably defeated Chelsea. Antonio Conte went with on-form Fabio Quagliarella upfront alongside Mirko Vucinic, and used Stephane Lichtsteiner rather than Mauricio Isla on the right. Roberto Di Matteo dropped Fernando Torres in favour of Eden Hazard as a false nine – because he didn’t want to give Juventus’ three centre-backs a ‘reference point’. This meant he needed another wide player, and he wanted someone defensive-minded – this would have been Ramires were he not needed in the middle, so Cesar Azpilicueta became a cautious right-winger. But Juventus were the superior side – their opening two goals were both aided with deflections, but they created significantly more goalscoring opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes, and put Chelsea under constant pressure. Hazard upfront The surprises in Chelsea’s line-up, combined with the resounding defeat, will see Di Matteo’s starting selection questioned. In fact, the moves made sense on paper and were hardly disastrous on the pitch. The decision to start Hazard rather than Fernando Torres was completely reasonable. Torres had been extremely quiet in the first leg, not showing the appetite for physical battles against Juve’s centre-backs, nor the ability to make clever movements in the channels to get away on the break. It’s a thankless task, playing upfront alone against a back three, but Torres’ showing in the reverse fixture, combined with his poor run of form (which, realistically, now stretches back for three years), hardly made a convincing case for his selection. It’s got the point where Hazard is more adept at playing the Torres role (that is, the role of Torres at his peak, peeling off into wider zones before sprinting in behind) than Torres. Chelsea were playing on the counter-attack in the first half, and Hazard played the false nine perfectly well. He might have missed a fine goalscoring opportunity after Oscar’s excellent run, but he created a similarly good chance with some brilliant movement and good awareness of Juan Mata’s run, and produced a fine pass to find him. Chelsea were two composed finishes away from Di Matteo’s decision being judged a success. How would Torres have fared? It’s impossible to say – but there’s nothing to suggest he would have been a more promising outlet on the break, or a more reliable finisher in front of goal. Of course, when Chelsea fell behind, Juventus sat back and Hazard was forced to play more of a classic centre-forward role – this was predictably unsuccessful. Azpilicueta Di Matteo’s second key decision was using Azpilicueta on the right of midfield, and again, this broadly worked well on. There was a huge difference in the positioning of Azpilicueta and his equivalent on the opposite side, Mata. That’s entirely natural – Azpilicueta is a full-back, Mata is a playmaker. But while Azpilicueta kept the right flank secure in combination with Branslav Ivanovic, Chelsea’s clearest weakness in the first half was Lichtsteiner’s untracked runs from the right-wing-back position. It was he that hit the post in the opening minutes after a run behind Ashley Cole, and then later Cole was forced to clear off the line when Lichtsteiner tried to bundle the ball over the line. On other occasions, the wing-back found himself in space but wasn’t found quickly enough by the Juventus midfielders. The disparity on either side was stark – Azpilicueta forced Kwadwo Asamoah to retreat or play a sideways pass, where Lichtsteiner was free to attack. The first half average positions (courtesy of UEFA.com) - see how Mata (10) is in no protection to protect Cole (3), while Lichtsteiner (26) is higher up than Asamoah (22) Midfield In the centre of the pitch, Oscar again did a decent job on Andrea Pirlo – he was unfortunate to be caught out for Juventus’ opening goal, a Pirlo shot that was turned in by Quagliarella – but Juventus’ bravery in terms of forward running was remarkable. From an early stage they got numerous players into the box, with both Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal charging into goalscoring positions. Vidal found space between Ramires and Mata when Chelsea were defending, particularly when Juve attacked down the left and Ramires shuffled across the pitch. Pirlo, too, was happy to move ahead of Oscar and risk being caught on the counter-attack – Juve were seemingly confident their surplus of centre-backs would allow them to stop breaks, although a couple of times defenders were forced into tactical fouls. Juventus routines In combination with the midfield running, Juve replicated their pre-arranged strategy to drag Chelsea’s defenders out of position. Both Vucinic and Quagliarella are mobile, quick but competent with their back to goal – so when one moved deep and drew a Chelsea centre-back up the pitch, the other would quickly sprint in behind. This happened a couple of times in the first half – an offside flag called a halt to one move – but it was most obvious in the second half when Quagliarella rounded Petr Cech, but couldn’t finish from a tight angle. It was also notable that Juventus had prepared a couple of clever corner routines – one resulted in a short corner and a backwards ball into the path of Marchisio, who forced Cech into a save. Another less successful strategy was for Pirlo to chip a short corner to a player in advance of the near post, who would flick the ball into the six-yard box. Substitutions Di Matteo’s first substitution was predictable, replacing Azpilicueta with the more attack-minded Victor Moses – but within 90 seconds, Chelsea had conceded a goal assisted by Asamoah, who had previously been shackled by Azpilicueta. It’s unlikely Azpilicueta would have been directly tracking Asamoah’s run – but he would have been in a deeper position than Moses was, which in turn might have pushed Ivanovic deeper and in a position to tackle Asamoah. Again, Juve’s commitment to brave runs paid off – nine seconds after a throw on the halfway line, they had four men inside the penalty box against Chelsea’s four defenders. That wrapped up the game. Di Matteo then put on Torres for Mikel, moving Oscar deeper alongside Ramires. Juve freshened things up with Martin Caceres replacing Lichtsteiner and Sebastian Giovinco on for Vucinic. This helped secure the win – Caceres brought both more defensive steel and renewed energy, while Giovinco kept making dangerous runs in behind a Chelsea defence playing an increasingly attack-minded game. Caceres set up Vucinic for a good chance, then made the interception that led to Giovinco scoring the third. Conclusion The decision to use Hazard didn’t cost Chelsea, nor did the decision to use Azpilicueta. Instead, they were prone to Juve’s midfield runs, the movement of their strikers, and the runs of Lichsteiner from right-wing-back (Asamoah on the other side only became a significant problem after Azpilicueta departed). In fact, they were were most exposed in the least experimental and least controversial parts of Di Matteo’s starting XI. That will prompt questions about his overall strategy at Chelsea, but his specific tactics for this game weren’t disastrous.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Tactical Analysis of UEFA Champions League Thriller Nov 20, 2012 Juventus hosted reigning European champions Chelsea at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday and were comprehensively beaten, 3-0. The match carried prime billing, but it became clear within 15 minutes that the Blues would be travelling home with nothing. The tactical battle was an interesting one and Roberto Di Matteo's struggles against a three-man defence continued, while the Italian's own experiment with Eden Hazard ended in failure. Here's a tactical breakdown of the match. Formations Juventus lined up in their typical 3-5-2 formation, using a regista in Andrea Pirlo and two midfield shuttlers in Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal. Chelsea took their usual 4-2-3-1 shape and modified it slightly, with Hazard playing something approaching a false-nine role up front. Cesar Azpilicueta played an odd role on the right-hand side. To Live and Die by the Wing-backs When we talk about three-man defensive systems, we often underline the importance of the wing-backs creating penetration. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, it allows two players the freedom to run with the ball and literally drag their team forward 15, 20 or perhaps even 30 yards. Second, it stretches the pitch to its widest, giving the central midfielders room to play football. Di Matteo was clearly aware of the threat Kwadwo Asamoah carries from left-wing-back, as he deployed right-back Azpilicueta as an extra level of insurance in front of Branislav Ivanovic. On the other side, John Obi Mikel played a deeper role to help Ashley Cole defend against Stephan Lichtsteiner. These were the most important individual battles on the field and because The Old Lady won them, they controlled the game. Leonardo Bonucci vs. Eden Hazard The second important battle on the field was key to the Bianconeri blunting Chelsea's attack. Bonucci, who played the central role in a Juve back three, often found himself man-to-man with Hazard as he was sucked in to pressurise the false-nine. Lesser players would have been bullied by the Belgian's crafty runs, but the Euro 2012 finalist was up to the challenge. He broke up play with ease, totaling six interceptions and looking like the complete opposite of Fernando Amorebieta's failed attempts to man-mark Lionel Messi. RDM struggles This is the fourth time Roberto Di Matteo has come up against a three-man defence this season, and on no occasion has his team looked comfortable. The opening day of the English Premier League saw the Blues dominated at DW Stadium, but still manage to squeeze a 2-0 win on the counterattack. A draw against Liverpool and losses to Manchester City and now Juve can only point to an increasingly evident fact—the Chelsea boss still doesn't know how to overcome a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3. Hazard was a pretty poor choice up front. With Victor Moses and Fernando Torres on the bench, opting to play the Belgian No. 10 was rather questionable. With his team struggling to control possession against five-man midfields in the past, it's feasible to suggest the Italian was playing a 4-6-0 to try to grind out proceedings. It didn't work. Overcompensation Chelsea were disjointed from the start and that's due to the formation. Azpilicueta played an entirely pointless role in this match, as Asamoah comprehensively owned the left-hand touchline despite being double-marked, and the Spaniard offered little in attack. He was reluctant to break forward with Oscar and Hazard and was never in line with Juan Mata on the opposite flank. This caused Chelsea's formation to become lopsided, Ramires to storm forward and plug the gap and Mikel to motion haplessly at the gaping holes Vidal and Marchisio were running through. Tactically speaking, this was an all-round disaster for Chelsea and Roberto Di Matteo.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Juventus embarasses Chelsea Nov 20, 2012 Chelsea's recent struggles continued in Turin, as they dropped into third place in Group E following a 3-0 loss to Juventus. The first half featured wide-open play from both sides, and each had quality opportunities in front of each other's goal. However, Juventus appeared to have the advantage while playing at home, and Fabio Quagliarella smartly deflected Andrea Pirlo's strike past Petr Cech in the 38th minute to make sure the score line reflected this. After the break, Chelsea continued to put pressure but never truly threatened to score against the Italians. Arturo Vidal doubled Juve's lead with a strike from distance that once again got past Cech on a deflection. The Blues goalkeeper then made a questionable decision to leave his line in the 90th minute and challenge Sebastian Giovinco, who slipped the ball past him to push the score to 3-0. Chelsea is now dangerously close to being the first team to win the Champions League and fail to reach the knockout stage in its next campaign. Grades Andrea Pirlo, Juventus: A- The ageless midfield maestro was once again instrumental to an important victory for his side. His intelligent and accurate passing ensured that Juventus maintained control of the match and their future in the Champions League. Near the end of the first half, he made a fantastic interception and quickly settled the ball and fired at Chelsea's goal. The shot was deflected into the goal, and his effort gave the Italian side the momentum it needed for a positive result. Juan Mata, Chelsea: C The stakes were clear heading into this match, and Mata failed to deliver. He certainly had a difficult task as he attempted to find space in a crowded midfield, but the Blues needed a top-class performance from its star player. Mata has been in incredible form recently, but this was not one of his better matches. He made little impact on the match, and without a major contribution from him, Chelsea was unable to score. Fabio Quagliarella, Juventus: B+ The veteran striker played the poacher's role to perfection in this match. His slight touch on Pirlo's shot proves that a player does not need to do much in order to make a massive impact on the game. His positioning and his movement were extremely intelligent throughout the match, and he ensured that David Luiz and Gary Cahill were constantly occupied. Eden Hazard, Chelsea: C+ Hazard started the game in an unfamiliar position, as Roberto Di Matteo opted to start the match in a False No. 9 formation. Playing out of position, the Belgian playmaker was not nearly as effective as he has been previously this season. Fernando Torres was eventually brought onto the field to give the Blues a natural striker, but Juventus had already fallen back into defensive tactics by this point, and Hazard was unable to cut down his team's deficit. Arturo Vidal, Juventus: A- Juventus dominated the midfield in this match through excellent play from both Pirlo and Vidal. Pirlo's strike from distance was deflected by his teammate, and he did not get credit for the goal. Vidal was more fortunate, as Chelsea's Ramires pushed his attempt past Cech. The Chilean's excellent performance certainly earned him a place on the score sheet. What's Next? Juventus are now in second place in Group E, while Chelsea drops to third. Shakhtar Donetsk is in first, and Juve will travel to play the Ukrainians in two weeks, while the Blues will host FC Nordsjælland. The Blues now need a victory in their final game, and will also need Juventus to lose to Donetsk.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Match Analysis: Juventus 3-0 Chelsea Nov 20, 2012 Chelsea's chances of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League are on a knife edge following their 3-0 defeat in Juventus this evening. Goals from Fabio Quagliarella, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco did the damage for hosting Juve, who are now favourites to qualify at the expense of the Blues. Sports Mole has looked back over the encounter to determine whether or not the scoreline flattered the Italian champions. Match statistics: JUVENTUS: Shots 24 On target 15 Possession 56% Corners 10 Fouls 19 CHELSEA: Shots 11 On target 6 Possession 44% Corners 5 Fouls 6 Was the result fair? The only was the outcome could have been fairer is if Juventus had scored more goals. They dominated the match from start to finish and by and large dealt with anything Chelsea threw their way. Juventus's performance Juve are very well organised side. Granted they keep the ball well and play some good passing football when they have possession. However, it's without the ball where they also impressed tonight. Everybody knew their respective jobs and carried them out responsibly. Chelsea's performance Dropping Fernando Torres because of his current form is fair enough, but only do that if you are replacing him with a natural centre-forward. Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard all tried to fill the void, but the striking role is not natural to any of them. As well as that, Roberto Di Matteo will be disappointed with the way that his side surrendered possession in the midfield on numerous occasions. Sports Mole's man of the match Arturo Vidal: The Chilean is and old fashioned midfielder who hustles his way from one penalty area to another. Not only did he break up several Chelsea attacks, but he also scored the crucial second goal. Biggest gaffe It did not have an impact on the overall result, but quite what Petr Cech was doing in stoppage time for the third Juventus goal is baffling. Full-back Ashley Cole looked to have the situation covered but Cech raced off his line, giving Giovinco an easy finish. Referee performance It was a relatively easy night for Turkey's Cuneyt Cakır. There were no malicious tackles, which meant Cakir did not have too many major decisions to make. The one he did have he may have got wrong though as he waved away Mirko Vucinic's appeal for a penalty after he appeared to have been hauled back by Chelsea's Gary Cahill. What next? Juventus: Domestically Juve travel to AC Milan at the weekend, while next month their final Champions League group game is away to Shakhtar Donetsk. Victory in Ukraine will seal their spot in the next round. Chelsea: On Sunday Chelsea will play champions Manchester City. Meanwhile, their final group game is against Danish side Nordsjaelland.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Chelsea on verge of exit Nov 20, 2012 Holders Chelsea are on the verge of an early Champions League elimination after they were beaten by Juventus on Tuesday, while Celtic's fate is also out of their hands after tasting defeat against Benfica. Elsewhere Manchester United, already safely into the last 16 of the competition, played a youthful side in defeat against Galatasaray - on a night where Barcelona, Valencia, Bayern Munich and Shakhtar Donetsk also qualified for the knockout stages. A victory in the final group game against FC Nordsjaelland may still not be good enough for defending champions Chelsea to go through, after they lost 3-0 against Juventus. The Blues are now two points behind the Italian side going into the final game, with a draw against Shakhtar - safely through after a 5-2 win over Nordsjaelland - good enough for the Turin club to seal the second qualification berth in Group E. Goals from Fabio Quagliarella, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco condemned the Blues to their unwelcome position, on a night where the changes Roberto Di Matteo promised failed to bring an immediate reward. The Italian left Fernando Torres on the bench and started with a five-man backline, a move that initially looked promising as Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar - interchanging at the front - found space going forward. But the course of the match was changed by a piece of opportunism by Quagliarella - who re-directed Andrea Pirlo's long range shot past a wrong-footed Petr Cech to open the scoring shortly before half-time. Midway through the second half Juventus had a deserved second, as Vidal's driven shot deflected through Cech's legs off the unfortunate Ramires. The Blues never really looked like getting back into the game after that, despite the introduction of both Victor Moses and Torres, and a final goal from Giovinco - beating the onrushing Cech to a long through ball and sliding the ball under him - in the closing minutes added emphasis to the final scoreline. In the other game in the group, Shakhtar romped to victory against Nordsjaelland - with Luiz Adriano scoring a hat-trick and Willian chipping in with the other two. The win sent the Ukrainian side through, with Chelsea now left to hope it does not lead to them taking their foot off the gas in the final game against Juve.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Juventus beat Chelsea to push European champions to the brink of an early exit Nov 20, 2012 Chelsea are on the brink of an early UEFA Champions League exit after losing 3-0 at Juventus on Tuesday evening. Fabio Quagliarella diverted Andrea Pirlo's weak shot past the wrong-footed Petr Cech to give the home side the lead just before the interval. Arturo Vidal added to the lead just after the hour mark when his side-footed effort from Kwadwo Asamoah's cut-back was deflected past Cech off the heel of Ramires. And substitute Sebastian Giovinco put the gloss on the display as he slotted the ball past the advancing Chelsea goalkeeper in injury time. Chelsea must now beat Nordsjaelland in their final Group E game - and hope Shakhtar Donetsk beat Juve in Ukraine - to have any chance of retaining their European crown. And Roberto Di Matteo may regret fielding a new-look line-up with Fernando Torres axed in favour of Eden Hazard up front and Cesar Azpilicueta playing on the right of midfield. Juventus had dominated the game before the break with wing-backs Stephan Lichtsteiner and Asamoah pushing forward at every opportunity. Lichtsteiner should have opened the scoring inside five minutes but Cech managed to push his close-range effort onto the post. At the other end, Hazard nearly found the breakthrough only for Gianluigi Buffon to deflect his shot just wide. But the home side were producing the classier football and it was no surprise when they took the lead through Quagliarella. In fact, they nearly doubled their advantage soon after. Minutes after the opener, Ashley Cole had to clear off the line to avoid the Blues going two behind. But Di Matteo's side remained an intermittent goal threat and broke within seconds only for Juan Mata to see Buffon block his volleyed effort at point-blank range. The Chelsea boss did introduce Torres with 20 minutes remaining but the visitors were two down by that point following Vidal's effort, and Giovinco's late finish puts the Blues on the verge of a Champions League exit.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Cechmate As Bianconeri Run Riot Nov 20, 2012 Juventus deservingly defeated Chelsea 3-0 in Champions League at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday. Fabio Quagliarella put the Bianconeri ahead just before the break then Arturo Vidal made it two in the second half, before Sebastian Giovinco sealed the win in the final moments. The home side clearly had the bit between their teeth as they looked to get an early advantage. Stephan Lichtsteiner forced Petr Cech into a point blank save from three yards after he met a Mirko Vucinic volley at the back post. Chelsea were struggling to make it out of their own half in the opening moments, but Gianluigi Buffon did have to push an Eden Harzard shot round the post. Cech was once more in action as after Claudio Marchisio had his shot from inside the box palmed away. But Juve did find a way past Cech after Quagliarella redirected an Andrea Pirlo shot to leave the Czech keeper powerless in the Chelsea goal. Ashley Cole then denied Lichtsteiner by clearing the defender’s shot off the line. In the second half Juventus felt they should have been given a penalty after Vucinic looked to have been pulled down in the box by Gary Cahill, but the referee waved play on. Just seconds later Chelsea saw an 20 yard freekick smashed into the wall by David Luiz. Juve were denied on a couple more occasions by Cech, Pirlo and Quagliarella having shots saved, but the home side were starting to apply some pressure. Then Vidal made it two when he slide home a Kwadwo Asamoah pull back from the edge of the area, though the ball looked to have taken deflection via Ramires. Chelsea were struggling to gain a foot hold in the game with Juventus keeping the ball in the Blues’ half. Vucinic then had a golden opportunity to make it three, but ballooned over the bar from six yards. Roberto Di Matteo’s side went all out attack in the end and left themselves exposed to Juventus counter attacks Then Giovinco put the icing on the cake in the final minute with a cool finish from outside the box, after Cech came rushing out of his goal. The result means Juventus now move up to second place, two points above Chelsea, with Shakhtar Donetsk topping group with a point more than the Serie A side.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS 3 - 0 CHELSEA Fabio Quagliarella (38′) Arturo Vidal (61′) Sebastian Giovinco (90+1′) Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Attendance: 39670 Juve crush Chelsea! Nov 20, 2012 Juventus dominated Chelsea in Turin with Fabio Quagliarella, Arturo Vidal and Sebastian Giovinco in a 3-0 Champions League triumph. Elsewhere, Nordsjaelland had twice gone in front against Shakhtar Donetsk, but eventually capitulated 5-2. It means the Ukrainians are qualified for the knock-outs and Juve are in second place. This was a must-win game for the Bianconeri if they wanted Champions League qualification to remain in their hands. They were third in Group E, but only one point behind joint leaders Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea. Mirko Vucinic recovered from a bout of flu to start alongside Fabio Quagliarella, while Andrea Pirlo returned after he missed Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Lazio due to a ban. Chelsea completely reshuffled after a dismal Premier League run, dropping Fernando Torres for a 4-2-3-1 system with Eden Hazard a ‘False 9,’ while Ashley Cole, Oscar, Ramires, Juan Mata and Branislav Ivanovic shook off injuries. Frank Lampard and John Terry were still sidelined. Juve poured forward immediately and after three minutes Stephan Lichtsteiner volleyed a Vucinic chipped pass to the back post, but Petr Cech managed to deflect it on to the upright from point-blank range with his legs. Chelsea were sitting back and trying to hit only on the counter, which they almost did with Giorgio Chiellini’s intercepted pass. Oscar threaded through to send Hazard clear, but Gigi Buffon managed to turn it on to the side-netting. Cech came to the rescue again when a corner found Claudio Marchisio’s strike palmed out for another set play. Quagliarella passed two angled drives straight into the goalkeeper’s arms, as did Vucinic and a Pirlo free kick that went through the wall. Gary Cahill needed a crucial interception in the six-yard box to stop Lichtsteiner’s pull-back after a wonderful passing move. At the other end, Oscar almost made the most of another counter-attack, but Leonardo Bonucci came sliding in to block his shot. Juventus did eventually break the deadlock on 38 minutes with a sneaky finish. Pirlo won back possession in midfield unleashed a long-range snapshot that Quagliarella redirected with his toe to completely wrong-foot Cech in goal. It was so nearly 2-0 moments later, but a desperate goalline clearance from Ashley Cole denied Lichtsteiner at the back post from a Kwadwo Asamoah cross. The move continued and at the other end Juan Mata was totally unmarked, but Buffon stood his ground and blocked the volley. Vucinic had penalty appeals after the restart when he ran on to a long ball and fell under a shirt-tug from Cahill, though the referee did not consider it enough to knock him over. It was certainly a yank on the shoulder and unbalanced him, but at the same time the striker did not particularly try to stay on his feet either. Quagliarella managed to turn by leaning into Cahill, but Cech smothered at the near post when he should’ve rolled back for Lichtsteiner. A Pirlo screamer was fingertipped round the post by the Chelsea goalkeeper. On 59 minutes Quagliarella sprung the offside trap, but Cech stuck to him to narrow the angle and prevent the finish from the by-line. From that corner, Bonucci nodded over the bar. Arturo Vidal surged forward and exchanged passes with Vucinic, but the Montenegrin went for goal rather than giving it back and had to apologise to his angry teammate. Less than a minute later Vidal got his chance and took it, as Asamoah burst down the left and pulled back for the on-rushing Chilean to fire a daisy-cutter that took a deflection off Ramires to nutmeg Cech. Asamoah was sent clear just moments after Cesar Azpilicueta, who had been marking him, was substituted. Lichtsteiner had cramp and made way for Martin Caceres and he immediately had an angled drive charged down in the box. Vucinic then dived on to a cross, but just failed to make contact with his head. Torres was thrown on too and Asamoah mis-kicked wide from a promising position. Vucinic wasted a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 when Caceres rolled across from the right and he ballooned over the bar unmarked. A substitution was changed at the last second, as Sebastian Giovinco was coming on for Quagliarella, but Vucinic – who was suffering from flu last week – begged to be replaced instead. Oscar should’ve done better when faced with a hole in the Bianconeri defence, but lost his footing at the crucial moment. Marchisio was booked and will be suspended for the final group trip to Shakhtar Donetsk. Substitute Giovinco has been criticised by the fans recently, so expelled all his anger when scoring the third goal. The Atomic Ant struck on the counter and drew out Cech to toe-poke it past him into an empty net from 20 yards. In stoppages Giorgio Chiellini felt a thigh twinge and limped off after all the substitutions had been completed. Juventus 3-0 Chelsea Scorers: Quagliarella 38 (J), Vidal 61 (J), Giovinco 90 (J) Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Caceres 68), Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Quagliarella (Pogba 89), Vucinic (Giovinco 82) Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, David Luiz, Cahill, A Cole; Ramires, Mikel (Torres 71); Juan Mata, Oscar, Azpilicueta (Moses 60); Hazard Ref: Cakir (TUR)