Socrates

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus-Chelsea Preview: The (Must-Win?) Situation Room Nov 19, 2012 I won't beat around the bush. I won't some kind of slick lede that makes you either laugh or facepalm — or both. This game is too important to kid around and prove that I'm still, in some way, a five-year-old trapped in a writer's body. Nope, not gonna do it. There are two, maybe three, possibilities for tomorrow's game against Chelsea — one that will play a huge part whether Antonio Conte will be managing in the Champions League or the Europa League when the calendar flips to 2013. 1. Win, get three points, move into second place and be in the driver's seat. 2. Draw or lose, get one or no points, then have to go to northeast to Ukraine having to rely on some not-so-favorable situations and conditions. Yeah, that doesn't sound fun. I don't want to head to Donetsk needing a win to qualify for the knockout stages. I don't think anybody does. That kind of fixture is difficult as is, let alone with a 'win or be eliminated' kind of stipulation attached to it. I'd rather avoid that jazz — and I'm certain my line of thinking is shared by the majority of folks out there. So, win tomorrow, Juventus. That's my one suggestion. How do you like that for insight? /takes a bow AVANTI! LE CHIAVI The last time these two teams met at the Bridge, Chelsea were hot like fire. A really, really hot fire that was doing some serious damage. They were storming through the early stage of the EPL schedule, taking no prisoners with a new-look attack as many a pundits jumped on the bandwagon of the defending European champions. But, as our SBN brethren over at We Ain't Got No History have pointed out, that fine form has turned, well, sour. For us as Juventini, we can take it as a good thing, I guess. Chelsea's most recent loss — 2-1 to the EPL's biggest surprise team thus far, West Brom — dropped the Blues down to third place domestically behind the Manchester brothers. And all of this is happening while Chelsea's captain, John Terry, can only watch from the luxury boxes as he recovers from injury. I guess that could go in the section below, but meh. Serves the same kind of purpose, right? GOOD NEWS The biggest piece of good news, for me at least, is two-fold. 1. Andrea Pirlo is rested after sitting out the scoreless draw against Lazio on Saturday. We've seen what a fresh Pirlo can do in the past, and especially with this season being so incredibly busy, any kind of complete day off could pay wonders. 2. Arturo Vidal is back to being Arturo Vidal. He was crucial the last time these two teams met in London a few months ago. Even playing on one leg, his impact was immense. Now, with his few weeks of bad form behind him, Vidal's presence will again be looked up to be a huge boost in the midfield. Then again, why wouldn't it be regardless of who the opponent is? Exactly. BAD NEWS Chelsea are basically in the same spot as Juventus when it comes to the group standings, which means they're going to be busting their ass to get a positive result. And, since there's just a slim one-point difference right now, nothing is certain — and that means Juve are going to get all they can handle. It's not like Chelsea weren't going to try or anything like that. This is obviously going to be a difficult game. But it just makes it that much more the case and it that much more difficult of a game. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. Juventus Stadium. This is the kind of game that makes a home field advantage so important. Juventini took over Stamford Bridge in September and look what happened. With the tifosi out-singing a stadium full of Chelsea supporters, they were there to will on the squad after falling down 2-0. Will it be the same kind of atmosphere in the return leg? It freaking better be. An incredibly important match in Turin is what makes Juventus Stadium so special. If the sold-out crowd is rockin' — which is should be — then life for Chelsea will be that much tougher. 2. Containing Chelsea's firepower. Regardless of what kind of form they are in as an overall team, Chelsea's front line — sans Fernando Torres — still scares me. There are playmakers there that can seriously take over a game and run wild on a defense. I thought that Juventus' defense did a pretty good job as a whole keeping things under control when the two teams played in London. And we know that if Juve want three points and leapfrog Chelsea in the Group E table, it's gonna have to be that way again. 3. Will Big Game Mirko show up? My gut tells me Vucinic will be one of the two starting strikers tomorrow night if he gets over this freaking flu that saw him miss out on the Lazio draw. If he doesn't play (or start), then I've just wasted a bunch of time writing this section of the preview. But if he does, then this is exactly the kind of game where Mirko's reputation has been built on — big game, big kind of impact. If he comes off the bench, then it better be the same kind of deal. Whichever roll he plays, all I want is Good Mirko. No Bad Mirko, please. 4. The Sebastian Giovinco Watch. It's really something that will never go away — especially when Juventus don't win games they should like what happened on Saturday. For me, other than his shooting and a couple of misplaced passes, I thought Giovinco had a solid game. Sure, I'm not as harsh of a critic as some people who want to send him back to play with kids his own size, but he's one of the better options Juve have right now. And with that, there not only needs to be patience, but a sense of belief that he can deliver the goods. He's certainly shown it before. Maybe not on a European stage, but he definitely has in Italy. 5. Crossing the line. Or, for this matter, crossing the goddamn ball to your teammates properly. Want to know how many accurate crosses Juventus' two wingbacks, Kwadwo Asamoah and Mauricio Isla, had against Lazio? Two — out of 17 attempted. That's...not very good. Just a minor suggestion: IMPROVE ON IT. My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Vucinic, Giovinco

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Di Matteo coy on Chelsea future talk Nov 19, 2012 Roberto Di Matteo claims his focus is on Chelsea's crunch Champions League clash with Juventus and not his own future. Chelsea's season has faltered in recent weeks and they face Juve in Turin on Tuesday on the back of a defeat to West Brom - their fourth game on the spin without a win in the Premier League. There are reports of unrest in the Blues camp, defender David Luiz confirmed there were angry exchanges in the dressing room on Saturday, and it has been claimed that Di Matteo's position is under threat. When asked if he had held talks about his future with club officials, Di Matteo said: "We do not disclose these kinds of things so I won't talk about that. I am not thinking about that. "I am preparing the team for tomorrow and I have got some important decision to make." Chelsea top Group E in the Champions League, but they are level on points with Shakhtar Donetsk and only a point clear of Juventus. Di Matteo is aware of the challenge, but is confident his side will get the result they need. "We are positive," he said. "We had a very good game against Juventus at home. It is going to be difficult for sure but they are under pressure as well and it is going to be an interesting game. "We are confident we can have a good game."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Chelsea's Ashley Cole available for Juventus clash Nov 19, 2012 Chelsea head coach Roberto Di Matteo has revealed that Ashley Cole will be in the squad to take on Juventus in the Champions League tomorrow night. The full-back has been out of action for most of November because of a hamstring injury. However, he was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench during Saturday's 2-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion and is now expected to start against the Italian champions. "Ashley Cole is available to play. The defensive focus of the team will be very important tomorrow," Di Matteo told reporters. Cole's inclusion is likely to mean that Ryan Bertrand will dropped down to the bench.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) 3 Ways Juventus Can Beat Chelsea in Turin Nov 19, 2012 Things are heating up in the UEFA Champions League as we get down to the business end of the group stage. And whilst teams right across the competition are locked on similar points with "must-win" matches ahead of them, no clash is perhaps more decisive than Juventus vs Chelsea in Group E. It is a battle of European heavyweights. The reigning European Champions are up against the reigning Italian champions, and if their clash on matchday 1 is anything to go by, this reverse fixture could go down as one of the greats in Champions League history. After a dramatic last-gasp win against Shakthar Donetsk, Chelsea come into this match looking to secure their position in the knockout phase of the competition. However, they will attempt to do so at the expense of a resolute Bianconeri side who have never lost at the new Juventus stadium in the Champions League. With just one point separating both sides and the Bianconeri currently sitting out of contention for the next round, here's what Angelo Alessio's side can do to take down Chelsea. Drop Deep in the Midfield to Close Down Mata, Oscar and Hazard Juventus characteristically play with a five-pronged midfield, with Pirlo, Vidal and Marchisio controlling the centre of the park. Despite this, it is often Pirlo who drops deep whilst his counterparts push forward. However, as was the case in their away leg at Stamford Bridge and as was the case against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Bianconeri fell vulnerable in this area between the defence and midfield. Chelsea will most likely present Fernando Torres upfront, with Mata, Hazard and Oscar playing in behind the Spaniard. For Juventus—who play with a back three—this could prove vulnerable. As such, the need to stress the importance of having Marchisio and Vidal drop alongside Pirlo more often is paramount. Considering that Oscar netted twice against Juventus first time around, the gauntlet has been thrown down. Close him and them (Mata and Hazard) down, or face the prospect of leaking goals. Prevent Long Shots at All Costs Following on from the need to drop deep in the midfield is the need for Angelo Alessio's side to close down shots from outside the box. Why? Well, the reality is that 75 percent of all of Juventus' goals conceded in this year's competition have come from outside the area, not to mention Oscar's delicate double in the fixture at Stamford Bridge. For the most part, it will be about closing down Chelsea's magic three, but it would be naive of the Bianconeri to leave it at that. Chelsea are unique in the sense that they have the likes of David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic in defence who are able to test keepers from long range. It will be left to Juve's wing-backs to to ensure Buffon is safeguarded from such shots. Start Quagliarella Rewind back two seasons, and Fabio Quagliarella was touted as Juventus' "go-to" man. However, a season-ending injury against Chievo sidelined the Italian International for almost a year, and it is fair to say that since then, he has never really been able to recapture the form that made him one of the most feared strikers in Italy. This season, Quagliarella has set out to make a point, and following an equaliser against Chelsea in the first leg and a hat trick against Pescara, he has certainly made a claim for a starting spot in Alessio's side. Against Chelsea, Quagliarella came off the bench to earn Juventus a point away to the Blues. He also had all Chelsea supporter's hearts in their mouths as his "turn-and-shoot" effort scraped over the bar in the dying minutes of the match. Alongside Sebastian Giovinco's creativity, Quagliarella might just give us a glimpse of his best form against Roberto Di Matteo's side.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus vs. Chelsea: Date, Time and Preview Nov 19, 2012 UEFA Champions League action continues on Tuesday, as the first phase of the 2012-13 tournament inches nearer to its conclusion. Among the day’s most intriguing matchups is a Group E duel between host Juventus and defending champion Chelsea. The contest should provide some clarity at the top of the crowded Group E standings. Chelsea, with a record of 2-1-1 and seven points, is tied for the group lead with Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukrainian Premier League. Juventus, at 1-3-0, is just one point behind. Currently ranking third in the English Premier League, Chelsea travels to Turin fresh off a loss to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Juventus, despite a scoreless draw in their most recent contest against Lazio, currently leads the Italian Serie A. Juventus and Chelsea played to a 2-2 draw in their first Champions League meeting of the season back on September 19. Tuesday’s rematch is sure to be even more riveting. Where: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy When: Tuesday, November 20, 20:45 p.m. Chelsea: Who will provide scoring for the defending champions? Ahead of Tuesday’s battle with Juventus, Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has given reason to believe that he will bench Fernando Torres in favor of Daniel Sturridge at striker. The move would seek to stimulate the team’s offense, which has sputtered of late. Whoever is given the starting role will be of utmost importance to Chelsea in the match, as sufficient scoring will be necessary to accommodate a defense that will play without the injured John Terry. The pair of goals Chelsea scored in the first half against Juventus in September was not enough, as they allowed the Italian club to battle back and salvage a draw. The defending champions must keep the pressure on the home team from start to finish on Tuesday in order to secure a lead and then preserve it. Juventus: Can they rise to the occasion and give themselves a chance to advance? Juventus have remained in contention in Group E by not losing a single match to this point in the first phase. However, they’ve only managed to secure a single victory as three of their four Champions League matches have resulted in draws. It seems as though Juventus are able to play to their competition in any given match but have difficulty elevating their play to the next level. That will need to change on Tuesday if they hope to advance in this year’s tournament. A victory is all but necessary for them to move on. Acting manager Angelo Alessio, who is filling in for suspended head coach Antonio Conte, has called the game a must-win. In press conferences, coaches and players alike have asked Tuesday’s crowd to provide them with a “red-hot atmosphere” in their home stadium. The home team certainly realizes the importance of the match, and the energy is sure to be electric as both squads are desperate for a win. Time will tell which one is able to rise to the occasion. Prediction A raucous crowd will give the Italian club the edge, and a back-and-forth match will eventually fall the way of the home team. Juventus 3-2 Chelsea

EXAMINER.COM UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus vs. Chelsea: Key Battles and Prediction for Champions League Clash Nov 19, 2012 The UEFA Champions League group stages have been competitive across the board this year. Maybe the most competitive group has been Group E, which contains defending champion Chelsea, Italian champion Juventus, and surprise Ukrainian champion Shakhtar Donetsk. Tied at the top of the group with seven points is Chelsea and Donetsk, while Juventus is close behind with six. Danish side Nordsjaelland is way behind with one point, but will have a say in which teams advance with two matches left to play. On Tuesday, Chelsea will visit Juventus Stadium in a crucial match for two squads looking to move on to the knockout phase. With just two matches remaining in group stage play, Chelsea has the easier road of the two teams as they will host Nordsjaelland in the final match, while Juventus must travel to Ukraine to face Donetsk. This makes Tuesday’s match a must win for Juventus, while Chelsea would love a result to take some pressure off. If Chelsea and Donetsk were to win on Tuesday, they would both advance and Juventus would be out of the running. However, if the Italian giants can get a result, or better yet, a win, it would make things very interesting heading into the final match day. Let’s take a look at some key battles for Tuesday’s clash: Fernando Torres vs. Giorgio Chiellini Fernando Torres struggled in Chelsea’s loss to West Bromwich at the weekend, but the Spanish striker should be fresh for Tuesday after being substituted early in the match. The bad news for Torres is that he will be facing one of the strongest defenses in the world, and one of the best individual defenders in the world in Giorgio Chiellini. Chiellini, with his aerial ability, strength, and toughness, is a bad matchup for Torres, who struggled against similar style players for West Bromwich. Chiellini is intelligent in his play; fouling at the right times and providing cover for his other defenders. Torres has the talent, but will have to be on top of game in order to find space against such an experienced and clever defender. The winner of this battle could play a huge role in the match. Oscar vs. Arturo Vidal The last time these two clubs met was at Stamford Bridge and it marked Oscar’s first Champions League start for Chelsea. The young Brazilian marked his debut with two spectacular goals to give the home side an early 2-0 lead over visiting Juventus. However, Juventus eventually came back to draw the match partly thanks to a brilliant goal by Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal. Vidal was a thorn in the tail of Chelsea in the last meeting, and should be the same threat on Tuesday. These two young, playmaking South Americans were the stars in the first meeting and should play a huge role in the second meeting in a key midfield battle. Petr Cech vs. Gianluigi Buffon Although both keepers allowed two goals in the first meeting, it could have been much worse. Each played a significant role in their teams earning a point, and to be fair, the goals that were scored had nothing to do with them. Considered two of the top goalkeepers in the world, Buffon and Cech will be crucial to their respective team’s success. These two net minders have great shot stopping and aerial ability as well as legendary instinct. Their presence alone deters opposing players from even attempting some shots and alters others. They have both been champions at the highest level and their experience is unmatched. The goalkeeper battle may be the most important in deciding the outcome of the match. Prediction Great players. Great teams. Great histories. Juventus will be too strong and hungry at home. Juventus 3-1 Chelsea

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus duo praise 'extraordinary' Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo Di Matteo is the first Italian to win the European Cup with a foreign club. Nov 19, 2012 Roberto Di Matteo today received a welcome vote of confidence ahead of Chelsea's potential do-or-die Champions League game at Juventus - from the opposition. Juve star Claudio Marchisio and assistant manager Angelo Alessio both hailed the job done by their fellow Italian at Stamford Bridge, the latter confident Di Matteo would not be sacked if the European champions failed to reach the knockout stages. And that was exactly the outcome Marchisio and Alessio were seeking as they plotted the win over Chelsea tomorrow night that would put their own side on the brink of qualifying at the holders' expense. Despite Di Matteo securing the Blues' first-ever Champions League title in May, there is no telling how owner Roman Abramovich would respond to them becoming the first holders to crash out before Christmas. But Alessio, performing the duties of Juve manager Antonio Conte during the remainder of the latter's ban over the 'Calcioscommesse' match-fixing scandal, said of Di Matteo: "He did something extraordinary last season and he is showing it again this year. "We're pleased when an Italian coach does so well in England. We are pleased with what he has done and what he is doing. "I don't think he is actually going to lose his job if they don't qualify." Di Matteo came from nowhere to become the first Italian to win the European Cup with a foreign club after being promoted to caretaker manager at Chelsea. His appointment as permanent boss was greeted with scepticism amid suggestions securing Pep Guardiola was Abramovich's long-term aim and two Barclays Premier League points from 12 have not helped the incumbent's cause. But Juve midfielder Marchisio added: "He arrived in mid-season in place of the previous coach. "For this reason, he was probably under pressure but, nonetheless, he has been able to reach great things, so I am extremely happy and satisfied with his results." Marchisio and Alessio had no intention of easing the pressure on Di Matteo, whose side are one point clear of Juve with two Group E games remaining. Marchisio said: "Qualification is at stake. "We know it's very important - our biggest game of the year - and we want to go through." Alessio said: "We know, without beating about the bush, that it's all or nothing and we want to go through." He added: "If we are not so good, we will play the Europa League, but we know we have achieved something good already and we have faith in the fans - Antonio has told me he wants to see the stadium rocking." Di Matteo has hinted he may abandon the cavalier style demanded by Abramovich tomorrow night in order to steady the ship. But Alessio said: "We don't expect a game from a Chelsea side who will not come to attack us. "They have great attackers and I cannot see them playing any other way." That cost Chelsea in the reverse fixture in September as they blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. Marchisio and Alessio repeatedly insisted Juve had no fear of the European champions and shrugged off their own side's inconsistent form in front of goal ahead of a game they must win. The Italian champions and league leaders have been linked with the man who fired Chelsea to Champions League glory. Marchisio said of a potential move for Didier Drogba: "Drogba is certainly a great player. "But we have great strikers, so actually we don't need him. "I trust all my team-mates." Juve are sweating over the availability of one of their strikers after Mirko Vucinic missed training yesterday due to flu. However, he did train this afternoon after Alessio said he would be assessed ahead of tomorrow's game. Provisional Chelsea squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Moses, Marin, Piazon, Torres, Sturridge, Turnbull.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Di Matteo confident of beating Juve Nov 19, 2012 Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo is confident that his side can beat Juventus when the two meet on Tuesday. The west London club travel to Turin to face Antonio Conte's men in a crucial Champions League match, but the Italian Coach is expecting his team to come out on top. “I feel confident we can win,” he told a Press conference. “I have a good team and we know we have to play a great game. “It is going to be a tough test, but we know Juve will have a lot of pressure on them. “We just want to create problems for them – attack and defend the way we know we can.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Alessio demands Juventus hunger Nov 19, 2012 Angelo Alessio has asked his Juventus side to show how desperate they are to reach the last 16 of the Champions League when they face Chelsea on Tuesday. The Old Lady entertain the reigning champions at the Juventus Stadium in the knowledge that they need four points from their last two games against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk to qualify from the group. “We are well aware that this is an in-or-out game,” the touchline boss noted. “If it goes badly then I don’t know whether we’ll still have the chance to qualify. “We’ll go out on to the pitch with the desire to win that distinguishes us. We have to try to take advantage of the opportunities that we create. “We respect our opponents, but we will go into the match on a level playing field. “These types of games prepare themselves and we are just thinking of one game at a time. “We need to play with the same sort of determination which we showed against Pescara and Nordsjealland.” Juventus Coach Antonio Conte has few selection issues, although Mirko Vucinic is a doubt because of illness. “Vucinic didn’t train yesterday and we’ll see how he is today. We’ll then evaluate whether he can play tomorrow or not. “But Sebastian Giovinco, along with Fabio Quagliarella, was the best player on the pitch against Lazio. We played well and the player put in an excellent display.” A draw would be a good result on paper for the English club, but Alessio doubts that Roberto Di Matteo’s side will be overly cautious. “I expect Chelsea, who have important forwards, to attack. They are not a team who sit back and hit you on the counter-attack. “We are hoping to get help from the fans, Conte has told me that he wants a red-hot atmosphere.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus squad for Chelsea Nov 19, 2012 Juventus have named their 25-man squad for the Champions League match with Chelsea on Tuesday. There are no real surprises in the Bianconeri's list, as Antonio Conte has called upon a virtually full squad as the current European champions roll into town. The game could be a decisive one if the Turin giants are to qualify from Group E. The Old Lady currently sit in third position, one point behind Roberto Di Matteo's men who have seven points. Squad: Buffon, Storari, Rubinho; Lucio, Chiellini, Caceres, De Ceglie, Barzagli, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner, Isla; Pogba, Pepe, Marchisio, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Vidal, Giaccherini, Marrone; Vucinic, Giovinco, Bendtner, Matri, Quagliarella

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) No Chelsea fear for Marchisio Nov 19, 2012 Claudio Marchisio is confident that Juventus have the necessary experience to deal with the pressure of facing Chelsea in the Champions League. The two teams meet in Turin on Tuesday in a tie which the Old Lady really need to win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 alive. “Perhaps Chelsea have greater experience as far as the Champions League is concerned, given that we haven’t played in this competition for a few years,” the midfielder stated. “However, there are many experienced international players in our squad and we’re prepared. “We’re possibly approaching this game at the best possible moment, because we reacted well to the defeat against Inter.” Juve need four points from their games against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk to qualify from their group. “We’ve ended up in one of the toughest sections of this year’s Champions League and will be facing the defending European champions,” the Italian added. “They’ve invested a great deal in the summer and bolstered their squad. “It’s impossible to single out a player to fear though, the squad is their strength and this is precisely what led them to win last season’s trophy. “We’ve got great respect for Chelsea, but we’ll do all we can to go through.” Juventus were only in action on Saturday night when they were held by Lazio, but Marchisio is adamant that his teammates are ready to battle. “Tiredness won’t be an issue. Such big games help you find added energy and anyone would want to be involved in them. “We’ve not had a lot of time to prepare, but the most important thing is to maintain the same desire displayed against Norsjaelland, Pescara and Lazio. “Granted, we didn’t win the last game, but the attitude was spot on. We also hope to step out into a red-hot atmosphere at the stadium, because the help of our fans is crucial.” Marchisio was also asked for an opinion on Juventus’ problems in attack given that no ‘top player’ was signed in the summer and they failed to hit the net against the Biancocelesti. “I don’t think we have a problem in attack. Let us not forget that we are scoring more than we did last season, while we have the best attack and defence in Serie A.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Di Matteo vows Chelsea will attack against Juventus The Stamford Bridge manager says his side will take the game to the Italian champions in Turin, but insists he will only decide on who will play in Chelsea's crunch match tomorrow. Nov 19, 2012 Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has vowed that his side will attack Juventus when the two sides meet in the Champions League, but has remained silent on his team selection. The Blues have been praised for their dogged defensive displays in Europe, a feat which saw them overcome Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the way to winning the trophy earlier in 2012. However, the Stamford Bridge side have been in poor form domestically, taking just two points from a possible 12, but the Italian manager has insisted his side will take the game to their Turin hosts. "It will be a difficult game, but Juventus are under pressure as well," Di Matteo told reporters on Monday. "Our intention is to cause Juventus problems, so certainly we will attack as well as defend. "There was frustration on Saturday [in their defeat at West Brom] and we owe ourselves a good performance. In the past the players showed they can be counted on." The former Chelsea player revealed Ashley Cole will be available after recovering from a hamstring injury, but refused to reveal any further information on his starting XI. "Ashley Cole is available to play," he added. "The defensive focus of the team will be very important tomorrow. "I feel confident. I have a good team and we know we have to play a big game tomorrow. I will see how the players are in training and then I will make my final selection decisions." The Blues currently sit second in Group E, level on points with Shakhtar Donetsk and one point ahead of the Bianconeri.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Chelsea game the biggest of Juve's year, says Marchisio The Bianconeri midfielder has stated that their match against the Blues on Tuesday will be the most important one of 2012 for his club, but is confident of getting a result. Nov 19, 2012 Juventus' Claudio Marchisio has underlined the importance of his side's clash with Chelsea, but remains confident that they can beat the European champions. The Serie A leaders currently sit third in Group E of the Champions League with six points from four matches, and the Italy international is aware that the battle against the Blues will be decisive. "It's the biggest game of the year for us," the 26-year-old stated at a press conference on Monday. "We have ended up in one of the toughest sections of this year’s Champions League and we will be facing the defending European champions. "Perhaps Chelsea have more experience as far as the Champions League is concerned, given that we haven’t played in this competition for a few years." However, the midfielder believes that his side's quality and attitude can overcome the visitors' hunger for another successful campaign. "There are many experienced international players in our squad and we’re prepared. "We’re possibly approaching this game at the best possible moment, because we reacted well to the defeat against Inter." He then dismissed claims saying that his team might have a problem going forward against a possibly defensive approach by Roberto Di Matteo. "I don’t think we have a problem in attack. Let us not forget that we are scoring more than we did last season, while we have the best attack and defence in Serie A." Juventus lock horns with Chelsea in Turin on Tuesday at 20.45CET.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus - Chelsea Betting Preview: Back the hosts to bag the points Both sides are in desperate need of victory as they look to qualify for the last 16 of this year's Champions League and Willie Duncan expects the Old Lady to deliver on Tuesday. Nov 19, 2012 Defending European champions Chelsea face a tough test when they travel to Turin to face Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Angelo Alessio’s side came from 2-0 behind to force a 2-2 draw when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge in the opening match of the group back in September, and the Old Lady are chalked up as 4/5 (1.80) favourites with Bet365 to pick up three points on Tuesday. A dramatic stoppage-time winner from Victor Moses helped the west London club to a crucial 3-2 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in their last Champions League outing and the Blues can be backed at 16/5 (4.20) with Bet365 to win in Turin. The same firm offer 14/5 (3.80) on the match ending in a draw. Roberto Di Matteo’s men slumped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion at the weekend and go into this match without an away win in three games and will be desperate to arrest that sequence of results in this game. Goals have been a prominent feature with over three having been scored in all four of the Premier League side’s Champions League matches thus far this term and, should that trend continue here, the 4/5 (1.80) quote from Bet365 for three or more goals to be scored certainly offers appeal for punters. Fabio Quagliarella has been in fine form for the hosts, having scored five goals in his last five matches for Juventus, including a hat-trick in the Old Lady’s 6-1 thrashing of Pescara 10 days ago. Quagliarella is available at an enticing 6/1 (7.0) with Bet365 to open the scoring when these sides meet on Tuesday, while the talismanic figure of Andrea Pirlo is chalked up at a tempting 11/1 (12.0) with Bet365 to bag the opener here. Spanish striker Fernando Torres is available at 17/2 (9.50) with Bet365 to score the first goal on Tuesday while Torres’ fellow countryman, Juan Mata, is available at a juicy 14/1 (15.0) with the same firm to break the deadlock. Chelsea have proven their European credentials before, but this looks like a bridge too far for Roberto Di Matteo’s side and the 4/5 (1.80) with Bet365 for the Italian champions to take victory should be snapped up here with the in-form Quagliarella the value pick to break Chelsea’s resistance with the opening goal at 6/1 (7.0) with Bet365.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Preview: Juventus vs. Chelsea Nov 19, 2012 Just one point separates group leaders Chelsea and their hosts tomorrow night Juventus heading into this Champions League encounter. As a result, the loser of this tie is likely to face elimination from the competition at the group stages with just one more match remaining. Any success that Juve are able to achieve will have to be done without the services of the striker Mirko Vucinic, who is struggling with a knee problem. However, Andrea Pirlo is expected to return to their starting lineup following a domestic suspension. Pirlo's inclusion is likely to see former Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba drop down to the bench. Chelsea's major selection dilemma surrounds the centre-forward position. Head coach Roberto Di Matteo has hinted that he is considering dropping Fernando Torres, with Daniel Sturridge tipped to benefit. Captain John Terry and Frank Lampard are ruled out of the clash through injury though. Juve have won 12 of their last 20 meetings against English opposition, although they have only emerged victorious from just one of the previous six. Meanwhile, the Blues have only won once from eight visits to Italy. Recent form Juventus: DWWLW Chelsea: LDWDW Possible starting lineups: JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal, Isla; Giovinco; Quagliarella CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Sturridge Sports Mole says: 1-1

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus vs. Chelsea PREVIEW – The One to Watch Nov 19, 2012 Hyperbole is ever present when it comes to presenting football matches. And frankly, most times, the shrill media cries hyping up this or that fixture are nothing but attempts to capture the emotions and imaginations of the masses to lure as many as possible to choose to watch the game in question – or indeed read the preview – rather than indulge in the numerous other offers in a sea of entertainment. But this time it’s different… Tuesday night in Turin, as Juventus host Chelsea in the Champions League, a truly spectacular match will unfold, I guarantee this without any form of hesitation. The importance of the match itself dictates it. Of course I can’t promise that it will be a ‘beautiful’ match, even if that is a very distinct possibility too. It is beyond doubt, however, that this will be as intense an affair as you’re likely to witness this side of the New Year. The two teams that were considered the clear favorites to go through from Group E by many have met unforeseen difficulties in the first four matches and now find themselves in a very tight three-way battle with Ukrainian “surprise package” Shakhtar. In fact, the “Miners” of Donetsk have arguably been the best of the three sides so far and as they also have a slightly more favorable schedule to come (facing Nordsjælland away and Juve at home), the tie in Turin could well be decisive in determining which of the two combatants will go through. For the Bianconeri it is relatively simple; anything but a win will make advancing further in this tournament very difficult, as even in the event of a draw, they will have to win in Donetsk to qualify. Chelsea lead the Italians by one point and face Nordsjælland at home in the last match, but the Londoners will need to get at least one point or be left to pray that Juventus will get nothing from their tie against Shakhtar, who could well already be qualified by then. The stakes are indeed high as the current holders of the trophy enter the Juventus Stadium to face the seven-times finalists who will be raring to prove that they are truly back as a European force to be reckoned with once more. Juventus Juventus opted to field a very strong side against Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, with only Andrea Pirlo (already out due to card-accumulation) missing from what would be considered their strongest starting XI at the moment. The resulting 0-0 draw was disappointing but not due to a bad performance as such. The Bianconeri dominated the game throughout, denying Lazio a single shot on goal whilst creating quite a few chances in the opposite end. However, the failure to convert these into goals re-opened a talking point that had been somewhat silenced after the Old Lady beat Nordsjælland and Pescara for a combined score line of 10-1 in her two preceding matches i. e., the lack of a ‘Top Striker’ in the team. While missed chances is obviously a concern for the club, it may be a slightly overestimated one, looking at the league stats where Juve lead Serie A in terms of goals scored. In the Champions League though it’s a different story: Here, clinical finishing in key games is more important than over the course of a domestic season and one gets the feeling that picking the right front duo against Chelsea would go a long way towards a successful outcome. Not that there is a Cavani or Falcao amongst them to decide a game single footedly but, while Juve’s forwards are not the most prolific, they do contribute a lot to the system. A system that will need to be functioning perfectly Tuesday if Juve are to win the match. As for the personnel, there’s really little doubt that coach Antonio Conte will rely on a team very similar to the one playing Lazio, with only (!) Pirlo coming back into the team and the ever-present conundrum of the strikers to be solved. Mirko Vucnic is back from injury, but did not feature at all against Lazio – which could mean that he’s still only fit for the bench. Expect the 3-5-2 outlined below with trademark high pressing all over the pitch, relentless running from the wing-backs, Pirlo dictating the passes, and Bonucci, Marchisio and Vidal trying to penetrate the Chelsea lines from their respective positions. Probable Formation: (3-5-2) Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal, Asamoah; Giovinco, Quagliarella Chelsea Unlike Juventus, Chelsea rested a number of key players facing West Bromwich Albion in their Saturday fixture, seeing the likes of Ramires, Juan Mata, Oscar, Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic all on the bench, with the first three of those being introduced during the match. Short term the strategy backfired as they lost 1-2 but we’ll have to wait until Tuesday to see if this was a wise move by Roberto di Matteo or not. Overall, ‘The Blues’ have experienced mixed fortunes since they last faced the Bianconeri in London. While they immediately after that game went on to record an impressive six game winning streak, including a 4-0 away pounding of Nordsjælland, back-to-back loses to Shakhtar in Ukraine and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the EPL seems to have shaken the team somewhat – by their own lofty standards at least. Prior to the loss at WBA, a draw at Swansea and one at home against Liverpool sandwiched their home tie against Shakhtar in which a somewhat undeserved 3-2 win was sealed deep into stoppage time. Recent wobbliness aside, though, Chelsea – like Juventus (and indeed Shakhtar!) – is a side rather unfamiliar to the concept of losing games. Roberto di Matteo’s dramatic change of the set-up, introducing the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar along with Mata to transform last year’s tough-defending but thoroughly uninspiring side to a much more unpredictable, attacking team has been largely successful so far. All the while still keeping a solid defensive, even in lieu of their, shall we say; controversial but all the same very accomplished captain, John Terry (missing the match due to a knee injury). And even if the defence does seem a tad more vulnerable given those new-found offensive ways, The Blues still present a stern hurdle for any team trying to break them down. It’s widely believed that Di Matteo will look to his aforementioned, extremely talented “three amigos” behind Fernando Torres, who, despite blowing more cold than hot recently is still a very competent striker when he’s fired up (as evidenced at the Euros this summer). Behind the four of them, we’re likely to see John Obi Mikel and Ramires shoring up the midfield (with Lampard likely to be shuffled in, if required). Full backs should be manned by Cole and Ivanovic, unless the latter is drafted into central defence, pending the state of his colleagues. Needless to say, Petr Cech will be hard to pass between the sticks, although he still doesn’t look like the ‘keeper who once looked to threaten Gigi Buffon as the best goalie in the world. Probable Formation: (4-2-3-1) Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Ramires, Mikel; Hazard, Mata; Oscar; Torres Like every opponent facing Juventus (or Italy), Di Matteo’s Chelsea encounters the basic question of “who’s on Pirlo?”, as the Bearded Genius is rightly considered the heart-beat of both teams. At Stamford Bridge, Oscar did the job rather well (in addition to his two goals which were, for very different reasons, equally unbelievable). It was not a complete shut out though, and for good reason. An over-commitment to this task tends to open other corridors for both central midfielders and wing-backs to take advantage of and it is a delicate business handling the Maestro. On the other hand, Juventus will likely have to deal with the combined threats of Mata, Hazard and Oscar, a trio that easily fits the “world class 3” category in a 4-2-3-1 set-up. While Juve contained Chelsea rather well in the first encounter in London, it’s worth noting that Lampard started ahead of a fatigued Mata in that game, making it perhaps slightly easier to dam the flood of flair and creativity. Even given the often, maybe too often, mentioned impotence of the strikers of both teams, perhaps the most explosive battle of all will be the one on the flanks. How will Chelsea’s full-backs stand up to the charge of the Juve wing-backs, and how will their respective midfielders be able to assist and cover them? We shall see. I stand by my promise that this will be a spectacular match. So far this season, Chelsea have looked more at ease when going on the attack, while Juventus have massively improved when it comes to getting the results needed via their trademark dominating displays, and we will see two teams battling for supremacy in trying to earn their result from the get-go. A sold-out Juventus Stadium will be cheering their Bianconeori heroes, but Chelsea will arrive knowing their worth and recent history in this competition. Ladies and Gentlemen: A great game is afoot!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Andrea Pirlo: 'Disaster if Chelsea crash out of Champions League' Nov 19, 2012 Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes that it would be a "disaster" if Chelsea fail to reach the knockout rounds of the Champions League. The current holders are in danger of getting booted out of the elite competition if they do not get a result against the Old Lady in Turin tomorrow night. "Chelsea will arrive in a rage after failing at the weekend, but Juve is Juve and being at home always influences our rivals," the Daily Star quotes Pirlo as saying. "We want to put the pressure on Chelsea. For this type of club, it's always a disaster to go out of the Champions League in the first phase." The Blues sit second in Group E, level on points with leaders Shakhtar Donetsk, while Juve reside just one point below Chelsea.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Vucinic a doubt for Juventus Nov 19, 2012 Italian champions Juventus may play Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday without Mirko Vucinic. The Montenegrin international striker has missed the club’s last three games because of firstly injury and then illness. Vucinic has been struggling to get over a fever which again saw him train separately from the rest of the squad on Sunday. Boss Antonio Conte will take a closer look at the forward on Monday before deciding whether to select him in the party for the Juventus Stadium tie. Should he not recover then the Old Lady may begin with a strike pairing of Fabio Quagliarella and Sebastian Giovinco. Juve need four points from their games against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the last 16 of the competition.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Vialli on Juventus offensive Nov 19, 2012 Gianluca Vialli has spoken about Juventus’ problems in attack ahead of the Chelsea game. “I think I could be of use…” Vialli’s two former clubs meet in the Champions League on Tuesday just days after the Old Lady tried and failed to breakdown Lazio. “Juventus’ issues in attack revolve around the fact that their forwards are all on the same level,” he told Tuttosport. “Nobody has illustrated that they are world class and that is why boss Antonio Conte rotates them in the way he does. “The side can benefit from that ploy as a result, but the individual players certainly won’t. “It is hard to choose which pairing to go with, because there is not one which you can say is the strongest.” Juventus are the League’s top scorers, but the majority of their goals have come from their midfield department. And Vialli feels that Sebastian Giovinco, four strikes in 12 Serie A games this term, has to deliver more. “Giovinco is always under exam,” the former Italian international added. “Conte insists that Giovinco is fundamental to his team because of his assists. I think he will only be decisive when he scores… “He has the abilities to take the team by the hand, but he needs to be scoring key goals and doing that regularly.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Buffon: "We respect Chelsea, but..." Nov 19, 2012 Buffon was a losing finalist in the 2003 edition which Milan won, he’s now hoping his club can collect four points from their last two games to reach this season’s last 16 – starting with Chelsea on Tuesday. “We are on the same level as the European champions,” he argued. “Any result could occur, but today Juventus are respected by everyone. “I don’t even think we are lacking experience because games for national teams count too… “We respect Chelsea, but we have the cards necessary to win. The 2-2 at Stamford Bridge underlines that.” Despite Buffon’s confidence, there is a chance that Juventus’ Champions League campaign could be dubbed as a failure if they don’t qualify. “Such strong terms shouldn’t be used. It depends on how you go through or how you are eliminated. “Whoever knows anything about football knows that our group was the most difficult – that was evident at the draw. “There are three teams – Juventus, Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk – who are going for the last 16 and I think it will go down to the last game. “Today a lot of people are celebrating Borussia Dortmund, but they went out at the group stage last season.”

Buffon staying to win Champions League Nov 19, 2012 Gigi Buffon says he will remain at Juventus for three more seasons in order to fulfil his Champions League dream. The goalkeeper is only contracted to the Old Lady until next June, but he insists that he will extend his agreement in Turin. “The delay in putting pen to paper is down to priorities,” the 34-year-old told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “Those of the team and mine. “Let’s get these important games out of the way first and then we’ll think about the signature. There will be no surprises, I’ll stay for another three years. “I think I’ll still be able to make the difference over that period of time.” Buffon joined Juventus in 2001 and has won a host of honours with the Old Lady, but there is a trophy missing. “The Champions League is something that I want before I retire,” added the Italian international. “It would be a shame to end my career having just missed out on it.” Buffon was a losing finalist in the 2003 edition which Milan won, he’s now hoping his club can collect four points from their last two games to reach this season’s last 16 – starting with Chelsea on Tuesday.

Pirlo reveals he almost joined Chelsea over Juventus The Italy playmaker, now 33, has claimed that he almost followed former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge before joining the Old Lady in 2011. Nov 19, 2012 Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he almost signed for Chelsea during Carlo Ancelotti's reign at Stamford Bridge. The Juventus star will line up against the Blues on Tuesday evening, but admitted he was in deep negotiations with club officials, before AC Milan - his club at the time - pulled the plug on a deal. The 33-year-old told the Daily Mail: "Actually, Milan wouldn’t let me go. I have a very strong connection with Ancelotti, so I was in touch with him when he went to Chelsea and I’m still in touch with him now he’s at Paris Saint-Germain. "I had already started negotiating with the people at Chelsea but then finally Milan didn’t let me go. That’s why I stayed. "Certainly it would have been a different experience that I’d have liked, especially when I was 30 years old. So why not? But unfortunately it didn’t happen." The midfielder has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance since joining the Bianconeri, contributing to Juventus' unbeaten title success last season, before shining for Italy at Euro 2012. Pirlo also admitted he is still looking to challenge himself, and refused to rule out a future move to the Premier League. "Maybe, who knows? I don’t know what might happen. You never know. I still have two years left with Juventus, this season and next," he added. "I like English football a lot. There are plenty of very good teams. They are very aggressive so it’s always entertaining to watch. "It wouldn’t be a problem for me fitting into that particular style because I’ve played with different players with different characteristics throughout my career."

Buffon: I will remain at Juventus for three more years The Italy international has made it clear that he will sign a contract extension in the not too distant future as he is happy to stay at the Bianconeri. Nov 19, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he will remain at Juventus for three more seasons as he has no intention of leaving the Serie A champions any time soon. The experienced goalkeeper's current contract is due to expire at the end of the season, but Buffon has stated that it is only a matter of time before he will sign an extension until 2016. "Is there a problem with my renewal? No, not at all," Buffon told Tuttosport. "It's only a matter of priorities. It's about the needs of the team, the club and obviously my own desire. "Our main priority for now is to end this series of big games on a positive note. We can think about signing my renewal after that. "Will there be any surprises? No. I will remain at Juventus for three more years." Buffon came close to winning the Champions League in 2002-03 when Juventus were beaten by AC Milan in the final, and he's determined to win the competition before ending his active career. "The Champions League is something I want to win before ending my career. I cannot deny it. I would be sad to retire without winning it. "I will not hang around just to steer the boat into the port. I have always been a speedboat and will go full throttle as long as I can." Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in the summer of 2001, and has since made over 400 official appearances for the club.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Luiz unconcerned by Chelsea's dip in form Roberto Di Matteo's side are without a win in their last four Premier League matches, drawing two and losing two, but the Brazilian defender is staying positive. Nov 19, 2012 Despite a run of four Premier League matches without a win, David Luiz is unconcerned by Chelsea’s current form, affirming that just a couple of matches could see them go top once again. After draws with Liverpool and Swansea, as well as a home defeat to Manchester United, Chelsea would have hoped to return to winning ways on Saturday, but Steve Clarke and West Brom had different ideas as they ran out 2-1 winners at the Hawthorns. Norwich City did Roberto Di Matteo’s side a favour by edging out Sir Alex Ferguson’s men later that day, while unbeaten Manchester City moved four points clear of the Blues after smashing Aston Villa for five but Luiz is certain there is nothing to worry about yet. Speaking to reporters after the match on Satuday, Luiz said: “The thing about the Premier League is its magic. In my first season we were 18 points behind and then in the last two games we could have won the league. “That end of the season is long time from now, but Chelsea don’t like to be far behind other teams. But in two or three games everything can change and Chelsea could be fighting at the top. “We had a lot of chances to win the game, but we were unlucky. We’ll now go back to London and think about the next game. “All the other teams come here and do not have an easy game. They have a great philosophy and a great coach, but we are a little disappointed. Chelsea always want to be top [of the league].” Up next for Chelsea is the less-than-simple task of facing Juventus in Turin, and although he recognises them as a “great team”, Luiz is confident that the team will rectify their deficiencies and qualify from the group. “We will work it out for the Champions League,” asserted the Brazilian. “And I think we have a great opportunity to qualify, but both teams, Juventus and Shakhtar are great teams. “Shakhtar have played together for four years. They [Juventus] will be dangerous. They have a great team. “The group is different now because they are just one point behind us, so I think it is the most important game in the group.” Fernando Torres struggled at the Hawthorns and has netted just twice in his last eight games for the Blues, but Luiz believes the Spaniard remains a crucial part of the side. He said: “All of the players are important for us. Some of them play well, some of them have not so good games, but that is normal. That is football.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (5th leg) - 20-11-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - CHELSEA Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Cuneyt Çakir (Turkey) Juventus - Chelsea Preview: Blues hoping to put poor domestic form behind them in Turin With Roberto Di Matteo's men joint-top of Group E but just a point ahead of the Bianconeri, Tuesday night's clash should prove to be a deciding factor in the final standings. Nov 19, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS JUVENTUS Buffon Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal, Isla Quagliarella, Giovinco CHELSEA Cech Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole Mikel, Ramires Mata, Oscar, Hazard Torres Juventus were frustrated in a 0-0 draw with Lazio at the weekend but have very few injury concerns, Mirko Vucinic has been absent with a knock since the Old Lady's Serie A defeat to Inter, while Paolo De Cegile (thigh) is still regaining fitness. Elsewhere Andrea Pirlo will return after sitting out the weekend's game through suspension, with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba dropping to the bench. Sebastian Giovinco could miss out on a starting role after a below-par showing at the weekend, with Alessandro Matri and Nicklas Bendtner waiting in the wings and Simone Pepe ramped up his comeback from injury on Saturday with a substitute appearance. Roberto Di Matteo has hinted that Fernando Torres' place in the side may be under threat, with Daniel Sturridge waiting in the wings, however it would be a big call to drop the £50 million man. Chelsea will be without John Terry (knee) with Frank Lampard (calf) also a major doubt, however, Ashley Cole (hamstring) should return after being an unused substitute in the defeat to West Brom. Oscar, Juan Mata, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires all started on the bench in that loss on Saturday, but should return to the Blues' line-up for the Group E clash. The visitors' manager may also chose to drop David Luiz after a sloppy display against the Baggies, with the option of keeping Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back and moving Ivanovic into the middle. DID YOU KNOW? • Juventus' 4-0 win over FC Nordsjaelland in their last Champions League game ended a record run of nine successive European draws. • The reigning Serie A champions have a good record against English teams at home, winning 12 out of 20 meetings - however they have won just one of the last six. • Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo have all played every minute of the Old Lady's group stage campaign, with Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz doing the same for the Blues. • Juve pair Giorgio Chiellini and Marchisio are both a booking away from a suspension, while Luiz is also one yellow away from missing a game. • Chelsea have won only once in eight visits to Italy, beating Lazio, who drew with Juventus at the weekend, 4-0 in a group stage fixture in the 2003-04 season. • The west Londoners have won just one of their last nine away games in the competition, while they are also without a win in their last four Premier League fixtures. • Roberto Di Matteo was playing for Italy when Bianconeri keeper Buffon made his international debut, the game was a 1-1 draw with Russia in the 1998 World Cup play-off first leg. • The west London outfit's duo of Fernando Torres and Juan Mata both scored against Buffon in Spain's 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final. Head to Head UEFA Champions League - 19 Sep 2012 - Chelsea FC 2 - Juventus 2 UEFA Champions League ‎- 10 Mar 2009 - Juventus 2 - Chelsea FC 2 UEFA Champions League ‎- 25 Feb 2009 - Chelsea FC 1 - Juventus 0 Last Five Matches JUVENTUS Nov 17, 2012 - Juventus 0 - Lazio 0 - Serie A Nov 10, 2012 - Pescara 1 - Juventus 6 - Serie A Nov 7, 2012 - Juventus 4 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - UCL Nov 3, 2012 - Juventus 1 - FC Internazionale 3 - Serie A Oct 31, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Bologna 1 - Serie A CHELSEA FC Nov 17, 2012 - West Bromwich Albion 2 - Chelsea FC 1 - Premier League Nov 11, 2012 - Chelsea FC 1 - Liverpool 1 - Premier League Nov 7, 2012 - Chelsea FC 3 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - UCL Nov 3, 2012 - Swansea City 1 - Chelsea FC 1 - Premier League Oct 31, 2012 - Chelsea FC 5 - Manchester United 4 - CCUP Players to Watch Arturo Vidal The Chilean has netted five goals in 11 Serie A games this season, as well as contributing two assists, while he has scored two from four appearances in the Champions League this term - not bad for a man who originally played a deep midfield role. The 25-year-old has moved into a more attacking position this season, and the fact that he has been continually linked with both Manchester clubs and Real Madrid tells you all you need to know about his quality. Oscar The 21-year-old netted twice on his first Chelsea start in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge, and will be chomping at the bit to try and produce a similar return this time around. A tricky attacking midfielder, the Brazilian is always capable of a moment of magic that could prove vital against what is a solid defensive unit. With Torres still struggling to find the net, the Blues' manager is becoming ever more reliant on goals from midfield. Prediction Although Chelsea stormed to a 2-0 lead in the first meeting between the sides in this competition, the reigning Serie A champions fought their way back to a 2-2 draw. It is likely to be a close game once again, with both teams oozing quality and so much at stake. Given Shakhtar Donetsk will be expected to pick up three points against FC Nordsjaelland, another tense stalemate is very much on the cards. Editor's Prediction Juventus 1 - 1 Chelsea