Thursday 20 September 2012

Juventus surge back to hold Chelsea

Chelsea's latest recruit-Oscar scored two goals on his first start for the club but Juventus fought back in a thrilling game at Stamford Bridge as the Blues opened the defence of their Champions League title with a 2-2 draw in Group E. 

But the Italian champions showed great spirit to respond through goals from Arturo Vidal on 38 minutes and substitute Fabio Quagliarella with 10 minutes remaining, and could even have won the game when the latter struck the top of the bar with just minutes remaining. 

Chelsea - embarking on their 10th consecutive Champions League campaign - made one change from the 0-0 draw with QPR at the weekend as summer signing Oscar was brought into the starting line-up for the first time, replacing Ryan Bertrand. The Brazilian dropped in behind Fernando Torres, the dynamic Eden Hazard to his left and the industrious Ramires providing balance to his right as the Blues sought to extend their unbeaten run in home Champions League group games to 27. 

Oscar - who attached himself to Pirlo diligently when Juve had the ball - had supplied little in an attacking sense after half an hour but he quickly remedied that when putting Chelsea in front after 31 minutes. Hazard played the ball in square to the young Brazilian, who took a touch 20 yards from goal and saw his firm drive deflected over the diving Buffon by the outstretched leg of Bonucci. 

If there was something unsatisfying about his first goal, Oscar certainly redressed the balance with an absolutely brilliant second just two minutes later. Ashley Cole found him with his back to goal with a pass to the edge of the box and Oscar knocked the ball the other side of Pirlo with his first touch before spinning around the Italy star to meet the ball with his second touch and sending a beautiful, intuitive curling shot out of the reach of Buffon and into the top corner. 

Vidal soon pegged Chelsea back to a one-goal lead before half time. On 38 minutes the Chile midfielder received a square pass from Marchisio and took a touch to find space 20 yards from goal before sweeping a shot between the legs of John Terry and inside the far post. 

Chelsea continued in a positive vein in the second half and came close to a third just six minutes in. Ivanovic advanced menacingly down the right and unleashed a dipping drive that appeared destined for the far corner before Buffon threw out his right arm to tip the shot away. The keeper had to be alert two minutes later when punching away a Lampard free kick that curled viciously at him. 

As Juan Mata came off the bench to curl a shot into the side netting after combining beautifully with Hazard, Chelsea passed up another chance to extend their lead and make the game safe. They paid for it on 80 minutes when another substitute, Quagliarella, drew Juventus level. 

Mikel, who had been inattentive all evening, was guilty of a sloppy pass to gift Juve possession and as Terry made a lazy attempt to play offside, the forward was allowed to run onto a pass from Marchisio and calmly slot the ball through the legs of Cech. 

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