Post match: Chelsea 2-2 Juventus

Champions League football is back and how! Chelsea kicked off their defense for the Champions League with a convincing display but not so convincing result. It was always going to be tough playing a side that was unbeaten in their past 42 games.

Di Matteo surprised many by starting Oscar in place of Mata. The remainder of the side was the same that played QPR in the weekend.

Chelsea XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Ramires , Hazard, Oscar , Torres.

Juventus on the other hand came up with a lineup many expected them to field with Pirlo-Marchisio and Vidal the key in the center of the Midfield supported in attack by Vucinic and Giovinco.

Juventus XI: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner , Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah, Giovinco , Vucinic

Going into this game, Robbie Di Matteo knew his side faced a difficult task playing the Italian giants knowing that they had to take the game to Juventus. Chelsea did just that. After loads of good movements and pressing football, Chelsea were finally rewarded after debutant Oscar put the home side ahead thanks to a deflected shot going over the diving Buffon. This deflected effort was soon followed by a moment of brilliance by the young Brazilian after his quick turn and shot surprised everyone at Stamford Bridge. With that goal Oscar became the second player in Chelsea's history to score 2 or more goals on their debut. (Drogba being the other). They say with great power comes great responsibility and wearing that #11 jersey and doing so much justice to it was not an easy task. Juventus pulled one back right before the interval thanks to a wonderful finish by a limping Arturo Vidal. Although there were flashes of brilliance , at times there were some bad moments as well. Mikel and Ramires particularly disappointing during the course of the game.

Second half and the same old story. Di Matteo decided to hold onto that 1 goal advantage by sending on Ryan Bertrand mid way through the second half in place of Ramires. Juventus on the other hand did not test Cech that often but certainly made their presence felt testing Terry and co. time and time again. Chelsea had a penalty call waved away by referee Pedro Proenca after Hazard was brought down by Bonucci. Di Matteo later on brought on Mata to replace Oscar who limped off after a bad tackle by Bonucci. Chelsea's sloppy play in the midfield continued after a misplaced pass by John Obi Mikel was intercepted and Marchisio's pass found Quaglirella who slotted it past Cech easily to level the scoreline. Juventus could have won it in the end after Quaglirella's effort skimmed off the crossbar.

FT: Chelsea 2-2 Juventus

Shikharr Chandra (@ShikharrC)

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