Chelsea FC are through to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the third year running after overcoming Juventus 3-2 on aggregate following an exciting 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Essien mark
Vincenzo Iaquinta wiped out Didier Drogba’s first-leg goal after 19 minutes, yet Juventus were left needing to score two more after Michael Essien – making his first start after six months out with a cruciate ligament injury – struck in first-half added time. Although Alessandro Del Piero’s second-half penalty gave the Bianconeri hope, Claudio Ranieri’s men first lost Giorgio Chiellini to a red card on 70 minutes and then the tie as Drogba equalised seven minutes from time.

Nedvěd blow
With Juventus having to overturn a first-leg deficit and Ranieri limited in his midfield options due to myriad injury problems, the former Chelsea boss used a 4-3-3 formation for the first time this season. The hosts began well, David Trezeguet heading Cristian Molinaro’s cross over in the first minute, but were soon cursing their luck as Pavel Nedvěd, who had started strongly, was replaced on 13 minutes by Hasan Salihamidžić. Iaquinta was also lively, dropping deep to supplement the midfield and combining well with his two strike partners. This was no better exemplified than by his magnificent opening goal, as the forward deftly flicked a long ball to Trezeguet, raced on to the Frenchman’s perfect angled pass and applied a sublime clipped finish.

Chelsea Edge Out Juve To Reach Last Eight … read more »

Juventus reacted with fury on Tuesday after Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho implied the club received favourable treatment from referees.

Mourinho made the comments at a press conference which saw him allude to the controversy which ensued following the Serie A leaders’ 3-3 draw with AS Roma – a match in which his men recovered to bag a point with the aid of a contested spot kick.

Mario Balotelli netted the penalty but Roma boss Luciano Spalletti was livid and accused Balotelli of diving.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri – like Mourinho a former Chelsea coach – saw fit to back Spalletti and that angered the Inter coach, who promptly insinuated that Juve received preferential treatment from referees.

“While Ranieri says he is behind Spalletti, I am on the side of coaches who have dropped points against Juve – and also on the side of those who are going to meet Juve in the coming weeks,” Mourino said ahead of Wednesday’s Italian Cup semi-final meeting with Sampdoria.

Juve Furious Amid Mourinho Claims Of Ref Favours … read more »

Chelsea 1 – 0 Juventus
Drogba 12

Didier Drogba’s early goal gave Guus Hiddink a win in his first home game since taking over at the Chelsea FC helm as last season’s runners-up saw off a concerted Juventus fightback.

Contrasting form
It was a close-run thing at Stamford Bridge, with the Serie A giants pushing the hosts back in the second half as they sought to cancel out Drogba’s slick 12th-minute strike. Yet they were unable to prevent a seventh successive away defeat in the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds, while Chelsea extended their unbeaten home record in the competition to 16 matches, including 13 victories.

Chelsea zip
Claudio Ranieri was given a warm reception by the home supporters on his return to the ground where he spent four years as manager between 2000 and 2004. He knew it would be the only act of generosity shown to him and his team: Chelsea’s determination to go one better than last term’s run to the final has been reignited by Hiddink’s arrival. The London side made a habit of scoring early at home in two-legged ties last season and that was clearly their intention again as Salomon Kalou forced Gianluigi Buffon into a stretching save. Michael Ballack then fired another chance high and wide, while Drogba came close with a flying header.

Drogba Puts Chelsea in Pole Position … read more »