© EuroFootball.com
More symbolically returning to the UEFA Champions League, Turin's "Juventus" could not have hoped for much.
After a two-year break from playing in the strongest football tournament on the Old Continent, Antonio Conte's proteges will clash weapons with the current European champions, London's "Chelsea."
The match will take place at the full "Stamford Bridge" stadium of the "Blues."
"Last season gave us more confidence in our abilities and provided us with the opportunity to play in the Champions League again. I think there are only 3-4 teams stronger than us, and then there is a group of clubs of equal strength, to which we belong as well. We must prove that we can play at this level," said Turin's team goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Football experts do not have a unanimous opinion on the possible outcome of this match. Some say that "Chelsea" has more chances to win, others name "Juventus" as favorites, and also a significant number talk about possible draws.
London's senior team coach Roberto Di Matteo, at a pre-match press conference, spared no compliments for the Italian champions and promised not to let the "Juventus" players dictate their conditions on the field.
So, how will "Juventus"'s return to the Champions League be marked? Will R. Di Matteo fulfill his promise? All answers today at 21:45 Lithuanian time.
Both clubs have clashed only twice in their entire history.
In the 2008 - 2009 season, "Juventus" and "Chelsea" tested their strength in the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen. The first match at the "Stamford Bridge" stadium ended with a 1-0 victory for the "Blues." That time, the goal was scored by striker Didier Drogba.
The return match in Turin ended in a 2-2 draw. Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alessandro Del Piero stood out for "Juventus," while their opponents scored goals, midfielder Michael Essien and Drogba once again equalized the result in the 83rd minute.
Did you know...
... "Juventus" goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's match against "Chelsea" will be his 400th wearing black and white jerseys.
...last summer "Chelsea" did not hesitate to spend over 100 million euros to acquire new players, while "Juventus" spent half as much.
...the "Blues" played in the Champions League group stage 9 times, of which 7 ended as group winners.
...last season "Chelsea" scored 17 goals and conceded only two in all six Champions League matches played at their stadium.
... "Juventus" and Dortmund's "Borussia" are the only European clubs to have won the Champions League final in their own stadiums.
...in the previous season, "Chelsea" players finished sixth in the English Premier League.
...the head coach of the "Blues," Roberto Di Matteo, is a good friend of "Juventus" coach Antonio Conte.
...from 1993 to 1996, while defending the honor of Rome's "Lazio," R. Di Matteo scored in a match against "Juventus" ending 3-0 on May 7, 1995.
