Reigning champions, Chelsea, came on head to head with Juventus to begin their Champions League 2012/2013 campaign at home. The highlight of the game was 21-year old Oscar, who was playing his first Champions League game ever. This prodigy proved his worth in yesterday's match with two dream goals for Chelsea. The game eventually ended in a draw, thanks to a great comeback from resilient Juventus.
After winning the Champions league in their last campaign for the first time, Chelsea were confident ahead of their first game this year. Following from the loss by Atletico Madrid and a draw with QPR, Chelsea had to get back on their feet to continue their dream start to the season. While on the other side of the coin, Juventus were playing their first Champions league game after nearly 2 years and seemed nervous at the start of the game. Juventus manager, Antonio Conte, was given an extension on his ban by 10 more months in August 2012 following his involvement in the match fixing scandal in Italy; thereby bringing on Massimo Carrera as incharge on the sidelines.
Chelsea started strong with swift moves, passes and team pressing, taking Juventus by surprise and putting them on the back foot. Chelsea have developed a lethal combination of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Ramires, Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel in the midfield. But Roberto Di Matteo has not been able to capitalize on Fernando Torres' skills completely. With his gameplay it seems that this forward is more suited for a second striker role which brings in the perspective of missing Didier Drogba - like player, who anchored himself as a strong forward. It yet remains to see if Chelsea's new signing Victor Moses can take on this huge responsibility in the games ahead.
About half an hour in the game, it seemed that the game would end into stalemate. But just as the clock struck 31, Oscar's attempt towards goal was deflected by Juventus defender to fall luckily into the net, thereby giving Chelsea the lead 1-0. Immediately the players ran towards Oscar to congratulate the kid on his effort, this being his first goal ever in the Champions League. Oscar was probably not contented with the greetings from his earlier goal, when he scored a scorcher from just outside the box to stun the visitors and take Chelsea ahead by 2-0. Even a goalkeeper like Gianluigi Buffon was just a spectator for this effort at goal.
At this point in time, Stamford Bridge was roaring with Chelsea fans while Juventus fans stood and hoped for something to happen their way. Just 5 minutes later, their prayers were answered when Juventus striker, Arturo Vidal hit a ground shot by his left leg to give Juventus a glimmer of hope to save the match. At half time, the scoreline read 2-1 to Chelsea.
During the second half, Chelsea were sloppy on the pitch giving away easy possession and inaccurate passes. Although Juventus pressed hard for an equalizer, Chelsea had no plans to surrender their lead to the Italians. It does appear that Roberto has a lot of faith on John Obi Mikel, since he is considered to be the key player as Chelsea's defending mid-fielder. Sending Michael Essien to Real Madrid on a year-long loan was probably not a wise decision for Chelsea, considering the superior capabilities of this player as compared to Mikel.
Just 10 minutes from time, Juventus' subsitute player Quagliarella capitalized on the superb through ball to score the much awaited equalizer for them. After this goal, repeated attempts from both the sides were futile to end the game in a draw.
Chelsea failed to start the Champions league campaign with a win since 2007, but considering the group they are placed in, it should not be much of a problem for them to progress to the next stage. Chelsea have to start defending their lead in the game if they aim to secure silver ware this season and retain this title. Chelsea will face new entrants, Norsjaelland, when they travel to Denmark on Tuesday, 02nd October 2012 for their next group game.
Article references:
1. UEFA Champions League 2013 - Chelsea - Juventus; http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000347/match=2009489/index.html
2. Antonio Conte has 10-month ban upheld by tribunal; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19079604
3. Juventus' Antonio Conte gets 10-month ban in connection with match-fixing; http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/10/antonio-conte-juventus-match-fixing-banned
4. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2: Italians blast back to knock Oscar off centre stage; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2205770/Chelsea-2-Juventus-2-Oscars-limelight-stolen-late-equaliser.html
Image references:
1. Reuters/Eddie Koegh; http://news.yahoo.com/photos/entertainment-slideshow/chelseas-oscar-celebrates-scoring-goal-against-juventus-during-photo-193824798.html
After winning the Champions league in their last campaign for the first time, Chelsea were confident ahead of their first game this year. Following from the loss by Atletico Madrid and a draw with QPR, Chelsea had to get back on their feet to continue their dream start to the season. While on the other side of the coin, Juventus were playing their first Champions league game after nearly 2 years and seemed nervous at the start of the game. Juventus manager, Antonio Conte, was given an extension on his ban by 10 more months in August 2012 following his involvement in the match fixing scandal in Italy; thereby bringing on Massimo Carrera as incharge on the sidelines.
Chelsea started strong with swift moves, passes and team pressing, taking Juventus by surprise and putting them on the back foot. Chelsea have developed a lethal combination of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Ramires, Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel in the midfield. But Roberto Di Matteo has not been able to capitalize on Fernando Torres' skills completely. With his gameplay it seems that this forward is more suited for a second striker role which brings in the perspective of missing Didier Drogba - like player, who anchored himself as a strong forward. It yet remains to see if Chelsea's new signing Victor Moses can take on this huge responsibility in the games ahead.
About half an hour in the game, it seemed that the game would end into stalemate. But just as the clock struck 31, Oscar's attempt towards goal was deflected by Juventus defender to fall luckily into the net, thereby giving Chelsea the lead 1-0. Immediately the players ran towards Oscar to congratulate the kid on his effort, this being his first goal ever in the Champions League. Oscar was probably not contented with the greetings from his earlier goal, when he scored a scorcher from just outside the box to stun the visitors and take Chelsea ahead by 2-0. Even a goalkeeper like Gianluigi Buffon was just a spectator for this effort at goal.
 | |
| Oscar celebrating after scoring two back-to-back goals in his first appearance in Champions league |
At this point in time, Stamford Bridge was roaring with Chelsea fans while Juventus fans stood and hoped for something to happen their way. Just 5 minutes later, their prayers were answered when Juventus striker, Arturo Vidal hit a ground shot by his left leg to give Juventus a glimmer of hope to save the match. At half time, the scoreline read 2-1 to Chelsea.
During the second half, Chelsea were sloppy on the pitch giving away easy possession and inaccurate passes. Although Juventus pressed hard for an equalizer, Chelsea had no plans to surrender their lead to the Italians. It does appear that Roberto has a lot of faith on John Obi Mikel, since he is considered to be the key player as Chelsea's defending mid-fielder. Sending Michael Essien to Real Madrid on a year-long loan was probably not a wise decision for Chelsea, considering the superior capabilities of this player as compared to Mikel.
Just 10 minutes from time, Juventus' subsitute player Quagliarella capitalized on the superb through ball to score the much awaited equalizer for them. After this goal, repeated attempts from both the sides were futile to end the game in a draw.
Chelsea failed to start the Champions league campaign with a win since 2007, but considering the group they are placed in, it should not be much of a problem for them to progress to the next stage. Chelsea have to start defending their lead in the game if they aim to secure silver ware this season and retain this title. Chelsea will face new entrants, Norsjaelland, when they travel to Denmark on Tuesday, 02nd October 2012 for their next group game.
Article references:
1. UEFA Champions League 2013 - Chelsea - Juventus; http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000347/match=2009489/index.html
2. Antonio Conte has 10-month ban upheld by tribunal; http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19079604
3. Juventus' Antonio Conte gets 10-month ban in connection with match-fixing; http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/10/antonio-conte-juventus-match-fixing-banned
4. Chelsea 2 Juventus 2: Italians blast back to knock Oscar off centre stage; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2205770/Chelsea-2-Juventus-2-Oscars-limelight-stolen-late-equaliser.html
Image references:
1. Reuters/Eddie Koegh; http://news.yahoo.com/photos/entertainment-slideshow/chelseas-oscar-celebrates-scoring-goal-against-juventus-during-photo-193824798.html
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