Socrates

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Quagliarella: 'When I saw Cech...' Sep 19, 2012 Fabio Quagliarella explained what he was thinking when he nutmegged Petr Cech to earn a 2-2 draw for Juventus. “Considering the way the game was going, this is a very important result for us against the reigning champions,” he said of the Champions League result at Chelsea. “I was about to shoot with my left foot, then I realised the defender wasn’t there, so I took it into a one-on-one with Cech.” Quagliarella had come off the bench a few minutes earlier, replacing Sebastian Giovinco. “It was a tough game. I was called upon and hoped to have a few chances to score. I took one and went close with another by hitting the bar. I gave my all. “It’s certainly not easy to sit on the bench and watch the matches from the sidelines, but in a big team there is always going to be competition. I always sit there hoping to a) start or b) to come off the bench. Maybe earlier than the last 10 minutes!” Quagliarella ran to hug stand-in Coach Massimo Carrera after the goal, but revealed it wasn’t his original intention. “I was running towards Marco Storari to celebrate with him and was very pleased to hug Massimo, as he is someone who suffers along with us. It was his Champions League debut too, so we were all a bit tense and emotional. “I have felt 100 per cent fit for a while, but if you don’t play consistently then match fitness is tough to achieve. It’s not something you can get from training alone.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Buffon: 'Juve are competitive' Sep 19, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon complimented Oscar on his goal and noted Juventus have already won by “proving we’re competitive and a side to be respected.” The Bianconeri returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2009-10 and fought back from 2-0 down to hold Chelsea after Oscar’s brace. “Oscar turned on a sixpence and put the ball under the bar. I won’t say it’s nice to concede a goal, but it’s still nice to be a part of a great goal like that. Compliments to him,” laughed Buffon. “Clearly we are all happy to have equalised away to the reigning champions, but analysing the game we were 2-0 down in a fairly unexpected way, as we had been playing on a par with Chelsea. The fact we were 2-0 down was harsh considering the performances of the two teams. “The statistics say we aren’t keeping clean sheets at the moment. As long as it’s three or four games, that is one thing, but if this run stretches on then that is a warning sign we ought to work on. “It went the way I expected, not better or worse. In order to not disappoint and to confirm its belief, the team had to make this performance. “We could’ve lost 2-1 playing like this and that still would’ve been proof Juventus are competitive and a side to be respected. That is a very important ‘trophy’ we won last season.” There were over 3,000 Bianconeri supporters at Stamford Bridge and they often drowned out the home fans. “We do sense the enthusiasm of the fans. I am one of the few left who went through the past success and the six years of decline. I can assure you, six years is a lot. “Throughout that time we dreamed of winning a Scudetto and winning back the respect of teams in Europe. That doesn’t necessarily mean lifting the trophy, but having our say on this stage again. “It is certainly difficult, if not impossible, to win the Champions League this season. It would also be a very arrogant thing to consider in September. “We reinforced our squad with important elements and it is allowing us to play every game our way – with a high tempo and lots of quality, trying to impose our football on the opposition. “If we can keep this up throughout the season, then of course we can look to building on it. The difference between a victory and defeat can often be the size of an upright or a deflection, as Chelsea saw last season.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Vidal hails Juve heart Sep 19, 2012 Arturo Vidal reassures Juventus fans his ankle injury is not serious after scoring a goal in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea. “I had this ankle injury, but I am fine now and I’m happy the team proved the work we did last season led us to this. We’re happy to be in the Champions League,” said the Chilean. He was already limping heavily after turning his ankle on the Stamford Bridge turf when he scored a fine daisy-cutter from the edge of the box before half-time. The Bianconeri were 2-0 down at the time, but fought back with Fabio Quagliarella for a thrilling 2-2 draw. “We showed the same heart as last year in Serie A. We want to play in three competitions and this is the Juventus we need to see every game. “I am fine and will work with the doctors, so should be fit for the weekend if the Coach wants to pick me.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Di Matteo: 'Oscar's dream debut' Sep 19, 2012 Roberto Di Matteo hailed Oscar’s Chelsea debut against Juventus, both for his brace and man-marking Andrea Pirlo. “Oscar’s debut was fantastic. He was tactically perfect and it was the right game for him to start his career with us,” the manager told Sky Sport Italia after a 2-2 draw. “It was a good game played well by both sides. We have regrets, as we were 2-0 up and couldn’t win it. “Juve are full of quality, we knew that, and it is difficult to play against them. We made a few mistakes in defence and allowed them to score two goals. “Pirlo dictates the tempo of the team, so it was important not to give him space or time on the ball. That was Oscar’s job tonight and he did it well. “I think we should’ve pushed harder for the third goal to finish off the game, but we made a mistake on the second goal when losing possession cheaply in midfield.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Carrera: 'Everyone counts for Juve' Sep 19, 2012 Stand-in Coach Massimo Carrera admits Chelsea made it tough by man-marking Andrea Pirlo, but Fabio Quagliarella “shows everyone can make the difference.” Juventus made their Champions League comeback with a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, as Arturo Vidal and Quagliarella fought back from 2-0 down to snatch a point. Shakhtar Donetsk beat Nordsjaelland 2-0 to top Group E. Oscar scored a brace in the first half, including one huge deflection, but was also crucial when marking Pirlo in midfield. “We know that Andrea is man-marked, as everyone knows he is the centre of our play, so we have different options such as central midfielders who must come forward with the ball to feet,” said Carrera. Quagliarella replaced Sebastian Giovinco and proved decisive, scoring the equaliser and hitting the bar. “During the week we watch the players and see who is in the best shape. Ale Matri played on Sunday, but Fabio shows perfectly that everyone is needed at Juve and can make the difference when called upon. “He scored a great goal and threatened to win it at the end. We had a great performance and proved we can play on a par with anyone. “Giovinco does what we ask him to, as the strikers need to play into space. He will get better fitness levels soon and no doubt make himself heard in Europe as well.” Juve were trailing in London and also fought back from 1-0 down to beat Genoa 3-1 on Sunday. “The first goal was when we only had 10 men, as Vidal was out injured. We accept that, but obviously it didn’t help. “We started badly at Genoa, but here we took the initiative and controlled the game, creating two or three chances in the first half. Of course when playing against Chelsea you will have to give away some scoring opportunities eventually. “We are happy to have got this game back on track after being 2-0 down. Now we take this point and from tomorrow prepare for Serie A.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918‎ Vidal and Quagliarella elated with Juventus comeback after 2-2 draw with Chelsea The Old Lady pair inspired the Italian side to a creditable draw at Stamford Bridge in their return to Europe's elite football competition. Sep 19, 2012 Juventus goalscorers Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella praised their side's resolve after they fought back from two goals down to earn a point against Champions League holders Chelsea. After Oscar had put Chelsea two goals ahead inside the opening 33 minutes, the Serie A champions dug deep to claim a respectable point and Quagliarella spoke of his delight at their strength of character. Speaking to reporters after the game, the Italian striker said: "Considering the way the game was going, this is a very important result for us against the reigning champions. “It was a tough game. I was called upon and hoped to have a few chances to score. I took one and went close with another by hitting the bar. I gave my all." Since the return of Sebastian Giovinco from Parma, the 29-year-old striker has failed to hold down a starting role, but remains optimistic of being part of caretaker coach Massimo Carrera's plans. "It’s certainly not easy to sit on the bench and watch the matches from the sidelines, but in a big team there is always going to be competition. I always sit there hoping to start or to come off the bench. Maybe earlier than the last 10 minutes! “I was running towards Marco Storari to celebrate with him and was very pleased to hug Massimo, as he is someone who suffers along with us. It was his Champions League debut too, so we were all a bit tense and emotional," he added. Vidal suffered a knock to his ankle during the first-half, but moved to reassure fans that his injury is not serious. “I had this ankle injury, but I am fine now and I’m happy the team proved the work we did last season led us to this. We’re happy to be in the Champions League,” said the Chilean midfielder. “We showed the same heart as last year in Serie A. We want to play in three competitions and this is the Juventus we need to see every game. “I am fine and will work with the doctors, so I should be fit for the weekend if the coach wants to pick me.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918‎ Mikel laments Chelsea concentration lapse after Juventus comeback The Nigerian's sloppy attempted pass was a mistake that contributed to the Italian side's late equaliser after the Champions League holders had earlier been two goals up. Sep 19, 2012 Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel lamented his part in a collective switching-off as the Blues allowed Juventus to fight back and earn a 2-2 Champions League draw at Stamford Bridge. Last season's winners started their defence well, going 2-0 up with quickfire goals from Brazilian youngster Oscar, but Arturo Vidal’s swift reply was consolidated by a Fabio Quagliarella strike late on. Mikel gave the ball away in the build-up to the equaliser and he told Sky Sports after the game: "I think we switched off. It was a pass to Eden [Hazard] that didn't quite get there and then we just switched off. "We should have dealt with it properly." The Nigerian had been encouraged, however, by their energetic beginning to the match, adding: "I think we started the game well, we scored two goals and we had more possession of the game. We had the game under control but they scored one goal. "We came out in the second half trying to do something in the way that we started the first-half but their second goal was a cheap goal to give away."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918‎ Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-2 Juventus Oscar caught the eye with two first-half goals, the second an absolute stunner, but a casual attitude let the Blues down too often, with John Obi Mikel among the culprits. Sep 19, 2012 Chelsea FC Petr Cech - Taken out of the equation by Vidal's finish and let down by his outfielders for Quagliarella's equaliser. Otherwise not often directly challenged by the likes of Vucinic. Branislav Ivanovic - With Asamoah not getting particularly far forward from the left wing-back position, Ivanovic seemed to be unsure of his role. Beaten for strength by Vucinic, the Serbian’s most telling contribution was nearly a failed attempt to spring the offside trap on Marchisio – the midfielder let him off with a poor touch. Ashley Cole - A confident showing from the left-back, enough to see him nutmegging players in the Juventus half, and was generally spared from much threat by Lichtsteiner. David Luiz - A frustrating case. Moments of real class at both ends – a fine interception here, a testing cross from wide there – but too often casual at the back and quick to lump it long with no direction. John Terry - The more composed of the centre-back pair for much of the match but didn't learn from Ivanovic's failure to play the offside trap earlier in the game when he let Quagliarella through for the equaliser, a real error. Ramires - Guilty of dallying too long with a first-half chance as Chelsea fulfilled the recent traditions of trying to "Arsenal it in". Worked hard without getting a great deal of traction out of Asamoah and Chiellini. Frank Lampard - A veteran’s performance in the positive sense; calm and composed, determined and dogged. One or two particularly fine passes and tested Buffon with a strong free kick early in the second half. Oscar - An element of fortune in his first goal being deflected by Bonucci out of Buffon’s reach but no question about his second, a thrilling first touch and curled shot that drew every spectator out of their seat. A tad too impetuous but such is to be expected of a youngster making his first start to the club and his touch was generally superb. Taken off after a crunching tackle by Bonucci. John Obi Mikel - The Nigerian's passing from deep was poor, only emphasised by his part in Juventus' equaliser. Still has not progressed to the required level for this team. Eden Hazard - Surprisingly isolated in the opening stages but was brought into the game more and more as it went on. Caused trouble for the back line but the decision not to award him a penalty in the second half was justified. Fernando Torres - Faded in and out of the game - playing against three centre-backs, Chelsea's attacking midfielders were always more likely to be the key - but looked mildly threatening when involved. Substitutions Ryan Bertrand - Replaced Ramires with just over 20 minutes to go but was unable to have more of an impact. With Juve only employing one wide man - a wing-back - it was difficult to see why Chelsea needed him on the left wing. Juan Mata - Should have done better with a decent chance after replacing the apparently injured Oscar. A surprise not to see him start but on the night you could understand why the Brazilian had been picked ahead of him. Juventus Gianluigi Buffon - Let down by Bonucci for Oscar's opener and was visibly angered as the deflected effort went in and helpless to prevent the Brazilian's magnificent second. Dealt well with a Lampard free kick. Giorgio Chiellini - The strongest of the Italian champions' three central defenders, perhaps because Ramires' threat from the right was a less subtle one than that of Hazard and Oscar. Andrea Barzagli - Won some headers and played it out with composure, particularly in the first half, but now and then looked a little clumsy when up against Hazard. Leonardo Bonucci - Had impressed before his noncommittal touch on Oscar’s shot prevented Buffon from saving the Brazilian’s effort - his later tackle to bring the youngster down deserved harsher punishment, too. Played it out of defence well, though, both long and short. Stephan Lichtsteiner - A game runner in the first period though not too often given the chance as Juventus preferred to attack through the middle. Took a bit of a knock mid-game and his withdrawal after 75 minutes was not such a surprise as a result. Claudio Marchisio - His first touch was found wanting in an otherwise excellent first-half springing of the offside trap. The midfielder was everywhere but sometimes lacked venom - a problem he solved, however, when putting Quagliarella through for the equaliser. Andrea Pirlo - Narrowly squandered a free kick or two but as crisp and classy in the pass as ever without ever producing one of the game-defining through-balls of which he is so capable. Kwadwo Asamoah - Did not get forward much from his wing-back position but combined well with the central midfielders on occasion. Arturo Vidal - Took a knock early on but, despite hardly being able to stand, dispatched a great finish with much-needed calm to bring Juve back into it at a time when they could have sunk. The Chilean was a real highlight for the visitors, physically tough but also passing well. Mirko Vučinić - Impressively strong in holding the ball up but such a skill is rendered pointless if, as Vucinic did, one cannot pass it to a team-mate rather than an opponent. Wasted a good chance by blasting aimlessly for the near post rather than the easier far before Chelsea got off the mark. The Blues' back line flattered him. Sebastian Giovinco - Flashes of his vast talent were on show at Stamford Bridge but never more than that. A flicked pass over a defender’s head, an impressive chested control before whipping in a dangerous cross, but not often given enough service. Withdrawn for Quagliarella as Juventus chased a more orthodox threat. Substitutions Mauricio Isla - Put in a decent shift down the right after replacing Lichtsteiner. Fabio Quagliarella - Made exactly the required impact when coming on as a more direct substitute for Giovinco. Made no mistake when Terry gifted him the space to equalise and nearly got a second when his lovely curled effort grazed the bar. A quality cameo. Alessandro Matri - Came on for Vucinic late but had no time to make an impression.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918‎ Juve rally to peg back holders Sep 19, 2012 Chelsea blew a two-goal lead as their defence of the Champions League got off to a breathless start against Juventus in a match that ended 2-2. Oscar looked set to enjoy a dream European debut with a stunning first-half double but the Italian champions ruthlessly exposed the holders' defensive deficiencies to snatch a draw at Stamford Bridge. Arturo Vidal pulled a goal back before the break and, after Eden Hazard was denied what appeared a penalty, Fabio Quagliarella came off the bench to equalise and was a lick of paint from completing a sensational turnaround. That would have been cruel on Chelsea but - as in their UEFA Super Cup thrashing by Atletico Madrid - they left themselves exposed enough to make such an outcome possible. It was all looking so good after 33 minutes of what Roberto Di Matteo yesterday dubbed Mission: "Impossible". His Midas touch in the competition was in evidence again after the shock selection of Oscar, who he admitted the club might not have convinced to join them had they not ended their agonising wait for Champions League glory. Chelsea fans still pinching themselves at last season's astonishing triumph were given another glimpse of the European Cup before kick-off when members of the armed forces were handed the honour of parading it. That proved a prelude to a combative first half-hour, which left David Luiz with a bloody nose and Vidal needing treatment on a knock. The quality of football on show was not exactly what Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had paid £80million to see but there were glimpses of the drama to come. Luiz was under just enough pressure to steer Frank Lampard's corner straight at Gianluigi Buffon, while Fernando Torres wasted a great breakaway opportunity after robbing Andrea Pirlo, who is said not to have had a great start to the season by his high standards. Torres, looking more lively than in his wretched performance at QPR on Saturday, also went close with a header but Juventus carved out the first clear chance when Andrea Barzagli's crossfield ball put Claudio Marchisio one on one with Petr Cech, who came flying out to smother. Mirko Vucinic should have also done better than fire Vidal's pass into the sidenetting when clean through in the 29th minute and he was made to pay dearly in the next four minutes. Oscar, who had almost looked like he had been picked to shadow Pirlo, found himself in space 25 yards out and unleashed a drive that Gianluigi Buffon would surely have saved but for a telling nick off Leonardo Bonucci. If the first was lucky, the second was sublime, Oscar expertly controlling Ashley Cole's pass with his back to goal before spinning and unleashing an unstoppable dipping curler into the top corner. But Juve are not 42 games unbeaten in Serie A for nothing. Marchisio almost broke through again and Vidal fired over before taking full advantage of slack defending to drive a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner. Hazard wasted another breakaway before half-time, after which Chelsea cranked up the pressure, with Branislav Ivanovic's dipping shot just kept out by Buffon. The goalkeeper also beat away Lampard's driven free-kick before the home side were denied a penalty when Hazard surged into the box and went down under a clumsy challenge from Barzagli. Referee Pedro Proenca simply told Hazard to get up and he arguably made another mistake when booking Ramires for a perfectly clean tackle. Vidal deservedly saw yellow for hauling back Oscar but Juve were suddenly on top, Chelsea resorting to the sort of counter-attacking tactics that served them so well last season. Ramires was withdrawn for Ryan Bertrand before Oscar - who was stood on making a tackle - departed for Juan Mata. Juventus responded by sending on Quagliarella for Sebastian Giovinco, who was actually looking a real threat. And after Hazard and Mata almost combined to finish the contest - the latter blasting into the side-netting - the Juve substitute equalised. It was another defensive horror show from Chelsea, Luiz hopelessly out of position as Quagliarella burst into an acre of space between John Terry and Ivanovic to steer Pirlo's through-ball between Cech's legs. It was a nerve-jangling finish and Quagliarella was desperately unlucky not to complete an incredible turnaround when his left-foot curler clipped the crossbar.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918‎ Juve comeback silences Chelsea Sep 19, 2012 Juventus fought back from 2-0 down to grab a well-earned point at Chelsea with Fabio Quagliarella cancelling out Oscar’s brace. The Neapolitan striker also hit the bar in the closing stages. The Bianconeri returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2009-10 and did it against the trophy holders at Stamford Bridge. Gianluigi Buffon made his 400th appearance for the club and there were no surprises in the starting XI. Roberto Di Matteo had John Terry back after a two-match ban and opted for Oscar’s first start in attack rather than Juan Mata. As in Serie A, Antonio Conte was in the stands so Massimo Carrera manned the touchline. Juve had lost their last five consecutive Champions League trips to England against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal (twice). The last time the Bianconeri conquered English soil in this competition was 1-0 at Manchester United in the group stage on November 11, 1996. After three minutes David Luiz bundled a corner into Buffon’s arms, but in numerous early set plays Giorgio Chiellini and Terry got up close and personal. Arturo Vidal’s shot was charged out for a corner, but on the counter Andrea Barzagli intercepted a dangerous Eden Hazard pass to Fernando Torres. Claudio Marchisio trapped a long ball forward to spring the offside trap and was one-on-one, but Petr Cech came flying out to parry at his feet from nine yards. In the opening stages in London, Chelsea appeared to be focusing on the counter-attack. Ramires and Torres had efforts charged down from close range as part of the same chaotic move, as did Mirko Vucinic from Stephan Lichtsteiner’s pull-back. Vucinic should’ve done better when Vidal intercepted a Branislav Ivanovic pass in midfield, but the Montenegro international hit the side-netting from a very promising position. Vidal turned his ankle during that move and was off for treatment when Chelsea got a goal out of nowhere. Oscar aimed from distance and it took a big deflection off Leonardo Bonucci’s shin to loop over a helpless Buffon. It gave the home side the lead against the run of play. Juve were still stunned when Chelsea added a second from a similar position, but this time there was no deflection. The Brazilian spun round between two defenders to curl an unstoppable strike into the top corner that dipped mercilessly under the bar. Vidal tried to curl one too, but it was over the bar and he still seemed to be limping heavily from that ankle sprain. Despite being in very poor condition, Vidal still managed to get a goal back for Juve. His first touch on the edge of the box gave him enough space to smash a precise angled drive into the near bottom corner. The Chilean could barely celebrate as he was grimacing at the pain of his ankle. Cech smothered a slightly over-hit Vidal through ball at Giovinco’s feet, then Buffon had his palms stung by a Ramires snapshot from a tight angle. Ashley Cole charged down a Giovinco spin from the D. The first half ended with an Andrea Pirlo free kick that was curled just wide. After the restart Buffon got down to palm a dangerous long-range Ivanovic strike out of the bottom corner. Frank Lampard’s powerful free kick found a gap in the Juventus wall and Buffon punched it away. Hazard went down rather too easily under a Barzagli challenge and the referee ushered him back up amid weak penalty appeals. Giovinco curled a free kick over, then the Atomic Ant cut in from the left for a dangerous shot turned out for a corner from which Bonucci nodded against the back of John Obi Mikel’s head. David Luiz did well to block Marchisio as he was pulling the trigger from the edge of the area. Bonucci went into the tackle late and landed on Oscar’s ankle. Ryan Bertrand and Juan Mata were introduced, while Fabio Quagliarella and Mauricio Isla made surprise entrances for Giovinco and Lichtsteiner. Juan Mata combined at pace with Hazard for the Spaniard to eventually hit the side-netting. However, it proved to be an inspired substitution by Massimo Carrera. Quagliarella sprung the offside trap on a Marchisio through ball to surprise Terry and he kept his cool to nutmeg Cech for a fantastic equaliser. Mikel had given the ball away in midfield to spark the move. Cech captured an Isla cross and Vucinic went down with cramp in his calf. Quagliarella nearly turned the game around completely with a sudden turn from just inside the box that curled on to the top of the crossbar with Cech beaten. It still wasn’t over, as a free kick fell to Torres and his attempt was charged down. Chelsea 2-2 Juventus Scorers: Oscar 32, 34 (C ), Vidal 38 (J), Quagliarella 81 (J) Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, David Luiz, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Mikel; Ramires (Bertrand 69), Hazard, Oscar (Juan Mata 74); Torres Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner (Isla 77), Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Giovinco (Quagliarella 75), Vucinic (Matri 88) Ref: Proenca (POR)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918‎ Oscar sparkles but holders stunned by Old Lady’s spirited comeback Roberto Di Matteo's team fail to hold on to two-goal lead as they begin Champions League defence in disappointing fashion. Sep 19, 2012 By Wayne Veysey at Stamford Bridge Roberto Di Matteo called retaining the Champions League crown Mission Impossible. So it might prove, as his Chelsea began the defence of their title in unpersuasive fashion, surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Serie A flagbearers Juventus. The aptly-named Oscar had threatened to steal the show with two goals in two minutes on his full Chelsea debut and in his first Champions League appearance, the second a strike of rare quality. But Arturo Vidal gave his team hope with a fine strike shortly before half-time and substitute Fabio Quagliarella made the home side pay for a sloppy performance with an 81st minute equaliser. It was the least the well-drilled visitors deserved in their return to the competition following a three-season hiatus. Manager Antonio Conte, watching from the stands as he continues his lengthy touchline ban, had watched in dismay as his team wasted two gilt-edged chances midway through the first period but Quaglieralla, who also hit the top of the bar in the dying minutes, ensured a second consecutive night of drama in the marquee Champions League fixture of the evening. In his perch high up in the stands, there was no chance of Conte doing a Jose Mourinho-style knee slide but his joy would surely have been as unabated as 'His Specialness'. It is more than two decades since any club managed to retain Europe's grandest trophy – "because of the fierce competition," reckoned Di Matteo in his pre-match media briefing. "Every season there are new strong teams coming in like PSG and Juventus. It just has proved impossible for anybody to win it twice. But we will try to do the impossible." The Chelsea manager made only a slight tweak to the team that stuttered to a goal-less draw at QPR last Saturday, replacing the sweet left foot of Ryan Bertrand with the more exotic skills of Oscar, the £25million signing from Internacional who has been gradually eased into life at Stamford Bridge following his exertions for Brazil at the Olympics. It proved to be an inspired use of the considerable attacking midfield resources at the disposal of the Chelsea manager, who was unable to field a recognised striker on the bench following the late withdrawal of Daniel Sturridge with a hamstring injury. Juventus arrived at Stamford Bridge with a desperate recent record on English soil, losing eight - including a 1-0 last-16 Champions League defeat at Stamford Bridge four seasons ago - and drawing three. Yet they returned to Europe’s head table for the first time in three years as Serie A winners, league leaders and Italy’s most convincing flag-bearers on the back of an astonishing 42-match league unbeaten run. Just to rubberstamp their rejuvenation, the visiting starting X1 featured six members of the Italy team that began the Euro 2012 final against Spain – Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, Girogio Chiellini, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio. Both sides struggled to create opportunities in the early exchanges, although David Luiz collected a nosebleed for his trouble after side-footing a fourth minute Frank Lampard corner straight at Buffon. Juventus began to threaten on the counter-attack and twice came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first period. Firstly, Marchisio broke from midfield to spring Chelsea’s off-side trap and latch on to a long pass from Barzagli but his first touch was too heavy and Petr Cech was able to smother the danger. Soon afterwards, Branislav Ivanovic sloppy pass was intercepted and Mirko Vucinic was sent through on goal but the imposing No9 biffed his shot wide. Chelsea had been erratic up to this point, lacking composure in the final third and sloppy at the back. But, following an anonymous half-hour, Oscar made his mark and demonstrated why he had been preferred to Juan Mata in the central playmaker role behind Fernando Torres. Eden Hazard was once again the creator. The Belgian upped his already burgeoning assist count by swerving in from the left after 31 minutes and teeing up his sidekick in the centre. Oscar took a touch and then let fly from 25 yards, although Buffon would surely have saved the shot had it not take a cruel deflection off Bonucci. If there was an element of fortune to Oscar’s first goal for his new employers, the second was an absolute gem of imagination and execution. With a single touch he was able to control the pass he received on the edge of the box and, at the same time, wrong-foot the defence to give himself a goal-shooting opportunity. The second touch was as glorious as the first, a delightful curled shot evading the dive of Buffon. The home fans, who had already been pumped up by the Champions League trophy – or the ‘Big Cup’ as one noteworthy former manager calls it – being paraded shortly before kick-off, were in jubilant mood. "We know what we are, we know what we are, Champions of Europe, we know what we are," sang the faithful. The vociferous visiting supporters, who had been momentarily silenced by Oscar’s sublime second, were soon back in full voice. Chelsea switched off again in the 38th minute and this time they were punished by Arturo Vidal. The midfielder lashed a low shot beyond Cech from 20 yards to give his team hope going into the break. Conte’s team are famed for combining their physical determination with a willingness to attack and proved in the second period why they have become such tough nuts to crack. Shortly after Oscar departed to a standing ovation from the home supporters, Quagliarella took full advantage of sloppiness from Mikel and a shocking attempt to play the off-side trap by Terry. Mikel gave the ball away deep in his own half and Chelsea dawdled before Terry tried to deal with a deep pass from Marchiso by attempting to catch out Quagliarella. It failed dismally. The Italian darted past him and slotted calmly past Cech for a deserved equaliser. It could have been even worse for the home side. With four minutes left, Quagliarella clipped the top of the bar following a delightful turn and shot. A 3-2 victory for Juventus would have delivered a finish as improbable as that at the Bernabeu last night but, by dropping two points in a home fixture, Chelsea have given themselves a lot of work to do in a difficult group.

Grande risultato in casa dei campioni d'Europa.

Partita monumentale di Vidal.

Entra Matri.

Ora il 2-2 va stretto a noi.

Quasi il secondo per Quagliarella.

Marrone si scalda in ... mutande.

La Juve conquista Londra .... squadra e pubblico.

QUAGLIA!

Speedy Chelsea

Ecco Isla!

Male Seba stasera

Entrerá Quagliarella.

Esce zoppicando "lady" Oscar.